AMES — Perry senior Alyssa Kruger showed a flair for the dramatic Tuesday and Wednesday during the Class 3A State Golf Tournament at Coldwater Links.[wpedon id=”82220″ align=”center”]
Kruger shot a lifetime-best 37-46–83 Tuesday to end the first day in a seven-way tie for ninth place overall. Literally saving her best for last, she lowered her score by four strokes, carding a 41-38–79 for a two-day 83-79–162, earning sixth place and a coveted state medal.
Tuesday’s results gave Kruger the confidence that she could match, or improve, her score on day two, she said.
“I was pretty excited after yesterday and eager to get started today,” she explained. “I played well yesterday, but felt knew I could do better and am glad I did.”
Kruger started on the 10th hole Wednesday, a stretch that vexed her on day one, where she finished with a 46. She was eight shots better on day two, completing the back nine (her first nine) at three-over 38.
The Jayette standout had five opening pars, then double-bogeyed No. 15 before a birdie on the par-3 16th. A par on the 17th followed, with a double-bogey on No. 18 capping the first nine.
The 18th was her nemesis, totaling six strokes over par in the tourney, strokes that would have moved Kruger to third place.
However, her two birdies and a first-day eagle on the par-5 third made up four of those strokes, leaving her safely in medal contention.
Kruger played the front nine at one-over 37 Tuesday and began with four consecutive pars before recording bogey on each of her final five holes to post a 41.
“I knew exactly what I was shooting and just tried to focus and play as best as I could,” she said.
In her foursome Wednesday were Clear Lakes’ Ashley DeLong (82-86–168) and Maquoketa’s Taylor Thede (89-85–174). Also along was Carroll senior Somer Sinnard, who had beaten Kruger by one stroke to win the Raccoon River Conference title.
Sinnard was one of the six players tied with Kruger after an opening round 83, but shot 87 Wednesday to finish at 170, at eight strokes back the closest player from the RRC behind the Perry star.
“I like playing with her,” Kruger said, noting she enjoyed her final group. “She is a nice girl.”
Of the seven tied at 83, only Sara Nacos of Washington, third at 83-75-158, finished ahead of Kruger, whose 79 Wednesday tied Dubuque Wahlert’s Anna Jensen (second at 76-79–155) for the fourth-lowest round on day two.
Gilbert’s Britta Snyder ran off with the title, shooting even-par 70-72–142 to win by 13 strokes. The only other round in the 70s Wednesday came from Creston’s Ashton Carter, who fell from 88 to 78 for a 166, tying for 10th place and earning a medal.
Washington was the state titleist with a 662, well clear of Creston’s 690, who used Carter’s charge to snatch second place from Gilbert, who placed third at 691.
