Sports : Tandy sisters to represent VS at Girls State Golf Meet

Rachel, left, and Lauren Tandy qualified for the State Golf Meet during Monday's Regionals.

Sisters Lauren and Rachel Tandy will represent Vinton-Shellsburg at next week's State Golf Meet.

Lauren, a senior who will play golf at Mount Mercy, carded an 82, good for second place at the Regionals even in Waverly on Monday. Rachel, a sophomore finished third with an 84. The siblings, who call themselves "best friends," are among five individuals advancing to State from that Regional meet.

As a team., the Vikettes finished in third place, missing by one stroke an invitation to the State Meet as a team. The top two teams in each Regional advance. Dubuque Wahlert won the meet with a 347; Western Dubuque score 366 and the Vikettes, 367.

Coach's report:

Regional Golf

Waverly Municipal Golf Course, par 70

Weather conditions: warm, breezy

Team standings: (2 advance)

Dubuque Wahlert 347

Western Dubuque 366

Vinton-Shellsburg 367

Charles City 385

Decorah 391

Waverly-Shell Rock 400

Algona 406

Benton Community 411

Independence 413

Waterloo East 432

Webster City 459

West Delaware 466

Individuals Advancing to State:

Charlotte Fynn, Dubuque Wahlert 80

Lauren Tandy, Vinton-Shellsburg 82

Rachel Tandy, Vinton-Shellsburg 84

Lauren Prier, W. Dubuque 85

Natalie Rapp, Dubuque Wahlert 86

V-S Team Scores:

Lauren Tandy 43, 39

Rachel Tandy 41, 43

Brandi Gerber 50, 50

Halie Engler 51, 50

Non counters: Olivia Walker, Olivia Ketchen

It was one of the best days to play golf this spring; for once it was warm! Two years ago we finished in 8th place, last year in 4th. This year our team missed advancing to State by one stroke! This team can take pride in their effort today; 367 is an excellent team score! We shot 184, 183 as a team. Each team member played solid rounds and it was tough losing by such a close margin. Had we tied with one less stroke, #5 players determine who would advance and our #5 score was lower by 8 strokes. However, we came, we played, we did our best.

These six young ladies did nothing but shoot some amazing V-S golf! Each of them practiced at least once at the Waverly course. They put in a lot of time and effort on a variety of golf courses, particularly at the Vinton Country Club and at Wildcat in Shellsubrg. I am so proud of this entire team for what they accomplished this year. Their team record stands at 55 – 12.

Senior Lauren Tandy and her sister, sophomore Rachel Tandy both earned a spot at State as individual qualifiers. These young ladies garnered second and third place medals from a field of 72. What a great accomplishment! It speaks to their golfing ability but also their mental toughness when they knew a trip to State is on the line! Lauren's 39 on the back nine (with 15 putts) was the lowest score of the day for that round. Rachel's 41 on the front was the second lowest score for that nine.

Girls State 4A golf will be played May 31 and June 1 at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames.