March 19, 2024

PCM’s Maher clinches spot in Class 3A girls state golf tournament

MENLO — As the high school golf career of Prairie City-Monroe’s Bre Maher winds down, there was only one thing left for the Mustang senior to accomplish.

Having never played in the state tournament, Maher crossed that off her list of accomplishments Monday with a third-place finish in the Class 3A Region 2 golf meet at 5x80 Golf and Country Club.

The top two teams and top five golfers advance to next week’s state tournament. Maher was in the mix from the opening hole and her round of 86 was good enough to advance.

“It’s a pretty awesome feeling to be honest. It was pretty rough here and there, but it went good enough to advance,” Maher said.

The Mustangs advanced to the final round of regionals as a team for the first time in Val Edwards’ tenure as PCM girls’ golf coach. Only Maher will still be playing after Monday as the Mustangs finished fourth out of four teams with a 417.

Maher is the first state qualifier since Maddie Peters in 2012. She also joins her older brothers as PCM state golf qualifiers. Brook Maher was part of PCM’s runner-up team in 2004, and Brady Maher played on the Mustangs’ championship team in 2008 and runner-up squad in 2009.

“It’s awesome to be able to join my brothers,” Bre Maher said. “They were both great golfers and to be able to follow in their footsteps is awesome. It is so cool that we get to play on the same course at state, too.”

Bre Maher will play in the 3A state tournament at Lake Panorama National Golf Course, just like her brothers once did.

“Her goal was to be the last Maher to play at state, and she was determined to get there,” PCM coach Val Edwards said. “I don’t ever see if the pressure of not getting to state is there with her, but she didn’t want to be only one in her family not to get there. This is something she has been working at for a long time.”

Atlantic won the team title with a 361, and the other qualifying team was Carroll Kuemper Catholic. Kuemper fired a 387 to advance.

Clarinda’s Grace Davidson won medalist honors with an 82. Maher was paired with Nebraska recruit Brooke Newell of Atlantic. Newell finished second overall with an 85, one shot ahead of Maher.

Maher led her group of four by two strokes after nine holes. Newell though rallied with three birdies and an eagle on the second nine. Maher and Newell were tied with one hole to go. Newell put her second shot on the par 5 No. 18 on the green. She then buried a 30-foot eagle putt to jump in front of Maher.

“She played really well on the back nine. It was really good competition and that helped me stay focused. I knew I couldn’t make too many mistakes today,” Bre Maher said. “I knew she was playing really well. I was just thinking two putt it and take my par. I just hoped that an 86 was good enough to move on. There’s not much else you can do about someone making shots.”

PCM junior Sabrina Reed shot a 98 in her final meet of the season. Junior Madeline Mitchell turned in a 108 and the final counting score came from sophomore Mack Bussan, who carded a 125.

Sophomore Lexi Reed (129) and freshman Alexis Dross (151) both turned in non-counting scores.

“We have a lot of girls coming back. We definitely won’t be able to replace Bre, but Sabrina was much improved this year and we can build off this season,” Edwards said.

Maher came into the day with the fifth-best 18-hole average in 3A. Newell’s season average ranks third overall.

“My mindset coming in was just to play the course and not play any particular person,” Maher said. “I knew she was good, and knowing that how she was playing helped me. I knew I had to play her stroke for stroke and I knew we were close with one hole to go.”

The long course did not play into Maher’s strengths. The 5x80 course has four par 5s in nine holes. There are also some long par 4s.

“Par 5s are not my strength. I don’t hit a super long ball and have never been real good with my woods,” Maher said. “I just tried to hit it down the middle and hope it goes down the middle.

“The good thing was my putting was pretty good today. I got myself into trouble with my driver quite a bit, but my short game helped me out.”

The 3A state golf tournament takes place at Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora. Maher begins the opening round at 10:30 a.m. on May 30 and starts the second round at 9 a.m. on May 31.