DARLINGTON - Darlington-Cuba City golfer Ali McCauley proved she's right at home on the golf course Tuesday.
For McCauley, whose grandparents started Cole Acres in Cuba City, her first season of prep golf has begun without a hitch. McCauley shot a season-best 8-over-par 43 to lead the Redbirds on Tuesday morning at the Darlington Country Club. Prairie du Chien clipped Darlington-Cuba City by three strokes, 208-211.
McCauley made par on holes 3, 5 and 6. She didn't have any reservations about commuting to Darlington to play golf in the first-year co-op.
"I just love playing golf," McCauley said. "I just didn't have anything else to do. It's the closest place to Cuba City to play."
McCauley said she definitely wants to keep chipping and putting strokes down.
The philosophy she has developed on the golf course serves her well.
"Don't get frustrated with one shot, because your next shot could be better," McCauley said.
Darlington sophomore Nellie Black turned in a dominating performance, shooting a 9-over-par 44, just one shot behind McCauley for medalist honors. The Redbirds' No. 3-5 golfers, Dani Larson, Taylor Burke and Erica Leahy, each shot a 62.
"I think they were disappointed with their scores," Darlington-Cuba City coach Gary Ringen said. "They will work to get back down in the 50s. They are capable of doing that. It's golf. Some days you have it, some days you don't. We certainly have room for improvement."
Black just missed a birdie when her chip shot on No. 3 dangled at the lip of the cup. Black's chipping game looked in midseason form when she came tantalizing close to a chip shot onto the green at No. 7. Black pared No. 1, 3 and 9 en route to her season best score. It's been a rapid improvement over last year.
"Last year I struggled at the beginning of the season," Black said. "I shot lower 60's and upper 50's. I have made a big jump this year."
Black attributes her early-season success to practicing chipping and putting on the range with her father this summer.
The key to the Redbirds' success will be how the other golfers develop behind Black and McCauley.
"Hopefully, they will improve as the year goes on," Ringen said.
For McCauley, whose grandparents started Cole Acres in Cuba City, her first season of prep golf has begun without a hitch. McCauley shot a season-best 8-over-par 43 to lead the Redbirds on Tuesday morning at the Darlington Country Club. Prairie du Chien clipped Darlington-Cuba City by three strokes, 208-211.
McCauley made par on holes 3, 5 and 6. She didn't have any reservations about commuting to Darlington to play golf in the first-year co-op.
"I just love playing golf," McCauley said. "I just didn't have anything else to do. It's the closest place to Cuba City to play."
McCauley said she definitely wants to keep chipping and putting strokes down.
The philosophy she has developed on the golf course serves her well.
"Don't get frustrated with one shot, because your next shot could be better," McCauley said.
Darlington sophomore Nellie Black turned in a dominating performance, shooting a 9-over-par 44, just one shot behind McCauley for medalist honors. The Redbirds' No. 3-5 golfers, Dani Larson, Taylor Burke and Erica Leahy, each shot a 62.
"I think they were disappointed with their scores," Darlington-Cuba City coach Gary Ringen said. "They will work to get back down in the 50s. They are capable of doing that. It's golf. Some days you have it, some days you don't. We certainly have room for improvement."
Black just missed a birdie when her chip shot on No. 3 dangled at the lip of the cup. Black's chipping game looked in midseason form when she came tantalizing close to a chip shot onto the green at No. 7. Black pared No. 1, 3 and 9 en route to her season best score. It's been a rapid improvement over last year.
"Last year I struggled at the beginning of the season," Black said. "I shot lower 60's and upper 50's. I have made a big jump this year."
Black attributes her early-season success to practicing chipping and putting on the range with her father this summer.
The key to the Redbirds' success will be how the other golfers develop behind Black and McCauley.
"Hopefully, they will improve as the year goes on," Ringen said.
