Bulldog senior girls golfer Rachel Vogl qualified for state at last week’s Section 6AA play in Sartell Course with a two-day total of 170.

 

The Bulldog girls golf team finished third of 14 teams in the section, played at Blackberry Golf Course.  

 

“It’s a great way to finish the season,” said Head Coach Steve Whittaker.  “What a great year for Bulldog golf.  Boys team and one girl going to state!”

 

With Vogl being a graduated senior, this is her final opportunity to close out her athletic career at the top of her game.

 

“It's great to know that all of the work I've put in over the years has finally paid off in my last chance at state,” Vogl said. “I have had a good season and this is just the icing on the cake to cap off a fun year.”

 

Vogl says she is also proud of this years’ girls team whose players never seem to give up.

 

“Our third place finish in sections showed some very strong character in the face of some real challenges,” Rachel said.

 

Coach Whittaker is excited for Rachel but a little sad she won’t be a part of his team next year and beyond.

 

“Graduating this year are Rachel and Erica (Brovold), who have been a large part of the program since they were in seventh grade and we will miss them dearly,” he said.

 

Vogl was a star soccer player, great basketball player on the team that went to state, and an exceptional golfer.  She was part of the Robotics teams, NHS, student council, STAC and plans on attending North Dakota State University to study civil engineering.

 

“Mr. Whittaker has helped me improve my game so much,” said Vogl. “Each day he would make sure I was working to get better and would bring new drills to fix any problems I was having.” 

 

Vogl said that even after shooting some of her better scores, the next day at practice the head coach would work hard with her to help her get better.

 

“He also believes in each one of our teammates, so when someone wasn't playing well he would just tell us to stay positive and keep grinding it out,” Rachel said. “He is such a great person to have as a coach and mentor since he knows so much about golf and is always willing to help out when things aren't going how you want them to.”

 

Vogl has never played the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan before, but she has learned some of the nuances of the course from people she knows. She will be playing a few practice rounds on the course to familiarize herself with the layout.

 

“Going into a course that I'm a little unfamiliar with will make it interesting,” she said. “I do think that as long as I am able to play my game and trust my swing I will be successful.”

 

Though Vogl appears to be playing some of her best golf of the year at the right time, she’s not completely satisfied with where he game could end up being.

 

“I feel that I can always be playing better,” she said. “And right now I know that I can  definitely cut down strokes in my game.”

 

Winning a state title with all the best girl golfers vying for the title can be daunting, but Vogl is up for the challenge.

 

“I'm not too worried about where I end up placing as long as I know I finished my high school golf career playing the way I know I can,” Rachel said. “As long as I go out and enjoy my rounds I will be happy with that.”

 

Rachel is scheduled to tee off on Hole #10 at 8:51 a.m. on day one and is grouped with Christina Collins of Fridley, Ana Schwarz of Marshall and Olivia Johnson of Hill Murray.

 

Vogl was also named to the St. Cloud Times’ all-area girls golf team last week.

 

The top team from Section 6AA makes state and that was Cathedral (first place - 739 points) with Osakis  taking second place with 745 points. Becker took third place (778 points) and Milaca fourth (783 points).

 

The other teams competing at sections were Foley, Sauk Centre, Rocori, Pierz, Albany, Melrose, Paynesville, Staples-Motley, Kimball/EVW and LPGE/Browerville.

 

Individual medalists were Alayna Eldred of Osakis (155), Morgan Kranz of Sauk Centre (161), Olivia Klefsaas of Staples-Motley (161), Lauren herker of St. Cloud Cathedral (166) and Vogl of Becker (170).

 

Becker Scores: 1). Vogl - 89-81-170; 2). Macy Erson - 99-85-184; 3). Hannah Garcia - 105-106-211; 4). Brovold - 104-109-213; 5). Ellie Goth - 118-DQ-NA; 6). Jenna Voight - 131-116-247.