Reynolds set to play her game in 4A state golf tournament

Playing high school golf was not high on Alayna Reynolds’ priority list when she became a freshman. She played golf as did almost everyone in her family. She watched as her older sister qualify for the high school state tournament.

The Newton High senior did not play high school golf as a freshman, but things changed.

Reynolds prepares for her second straight Iowa Class 4A State Girls’ Golf Tournament. She qualified with an 18-hole score of 90 at the regional tournament on Monday. She plays in the 2018 state tournament Tuesday and Wednesday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

Both rounds of the 36-hole, two-day state tournament tee off at 9 a.m.

“I’m excited about going back to state. To make it as a senior is great and to be able to leave the golf team knowing I tried my best and went to state is a great way to finish things up,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds returns to the Elmwood golf course where she played the 2017 4A tournament, taking 12th as a junior. She’s familiar with the hilly course, but she’ll be facing a different field of golfers.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union decided to go from five classifications to four in golf in 2018. Newton is one of the smallest schools in Class 4A golf and a lot of the golfers Reynolds played against a year ago at state are playing in the 3A tournament.

It doesn’t bother Reynolds.

“I really like playing against girls who are better golfers than I am. I play better also when I have really good, competitive golfers in my group,” Reynolds said. “Some girls find playing against better golfers intimidating, but I enjoy it — watching and learning. I played in a group with Britta Snyder (Gilbert) — the No. 1 golfer in the state — at a tournament this year and really enjoyed it.”

Reynolds plays her game, knowing what shots she can make to put up the best round of golf she can on any given day. Newton head coach Scott Enyart said Reynolds plays within herself.

“Alayna has a great respect for the game and likes to be in a group out there with a good balance of taking the game seriously, having fun and enjoying the day and the camaraderie,” Enyart said. “Her focus is making solid contact with the ball which maximizes the distance she can produce on her shots.”

Reynolds said it took her a few meets this season to find her rhythm. She took lessons from John Shawver, a PGA pro at Fore Seasons Golf in Newton.

“I’ve gained distance which has helped on my drives and my iron shots. Last year I was a bit nervous about using my sand wedge, but I’ve added that club into my game this year and it has helped my approach shots — my short game and my sand shots,” Reynolds said.

“My ultimate goal is to get the ball in the hole with least amount of strokes, which is everybody’s goal in the game. I don’t have the distance others do but I’m pretty accurate with my drives.”

As Newton’s No. 1 golfer, Reynolds had a nine-hole average of 50. She has an 18-hole average of 91.71. Her lowest score for nine holes this year was a 45. She shot an 80 as her low for 18 holes. She improved on her 18-hole average and play this season.

Playing the very hilly Elmwood course last year will help Reynolds next week. She said she learned last year how to hit up hill and downhill on that course. Reynolds said it’s important to land the ball in front of the greens and allow it to roll on.

“If you land the ball on the greens at Elmwood, it’s going to roll off,” Reynolds said. “I’d like to finish in the top 10 this season. It’s just a humbling experience to be around a bunch of girls who have committed hard to get to state.”

The top four players coming out of the 4A regionals are Ankeny Centennial senior Tenley Moretti and Valley freshman Paige Hoffman, both with 73s, Dubuque Senior High junior Abby Marting with a 74 and Waukee junior Brooke Boardman with a 75. Waukee finished second last year in 5A. It, Valley and Ankeny Centennial are the top teams in this year’s 4A tournament.

“I want to thank all my coaches, my team, my family and of most of all, God who gave me the talent and the opportunity to play a game I really enjoy,” Reynolds said.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com