By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
HOBART – Behind the solid performance of sophomore Grace Durkin, the Notre Dame Academy girls’ golf team is heading to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament.
Durkin posted an 8-over par 80 to take home medalist honors Oct. 6 at Thornberry Creek at Oneida in Hobart at the WIAA sectional.
The Tritons posted a 350 total among the eight teams to best Hortonville by 25 shots.
The state meet is Oct. 12-13 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler.
“As a team, it’s an amazing feeling to win and get the chance to go to state,” said Durkin. “Last year, we missed out by a few strokes, so that motivated us this season. It was sad we didn’t get to golf against the other girls in our conference (Fox River Classic) this year, but I’m grateful we are going as a team. Being able to practice on the course a few times beforehand prepared the team mentally.”
Durkin said her tee shots and irons helped her post a solid round.
“I struggled a bit putting,” she said. “I have some work to do before state.”
Head coach Brian Bobinski, who’s in his 20th year with the program, said this year was special.
“This season posed many challenges for kids with the COVID-19 pandemic, so when our school gave us the go-ahead to play a season, we challenged the girls to show it could be done safely,” he said. “They took that responsibility to heart.”
Bobinski, whose team last made it to state in 2016, said the girls made many sacrifices to make this year work.
“They avoided putting themselves at risk of getting sick,” he said. “I’m proud of them for that. They put their season ahead of some of their goings-on. That selfless act was special.”
Bobinski said one of his top players, Tara Janas, who didn’t golf at sectionals, was also on the minds of his girls.
“Tara didn’t get to play a whole season with us because her 4-year-old brother has leukemia,” he said. “She gave bone marrow about five weeks ago, so our hearts go out to the family with everything they are going through. She’s a special kid, and she made a sacrifice for her family. We’re so proud of her.”
The Tritons lost to Hortonville by two shots at regionals a week earlier and also competed against the Polar Bears at a dual meet during the last week of the regular season.
“Hortonville beat us by six shots at their home course toward the end of the season,” Bobinski said. “From a team standpoint, this was our best team score of the year. Our girls prepared well this past week to be ready.”
Belle Mae Williams (87, t-fourth), Emma Wolf (91, eighth), Lily Balison (92, t-ninth) and Emily Noble (96, 16th) also had solid rounds to send the Tritons to team state for the 15th time in program history.
The Tritons won state three consecutive years in 2006-08.
“The success of our program is due to the work ethic of our kids,” said Bobinski. “We’ve had a down-turn the last few years, but the girls embraced the challenge to get us back to the state tournament.”
Durkin beat runner-up Jasmine Yang (Wausau East/West) by three shots.
“Grace is already a good golfer, but she’s going to be great someday,” Bobinski said. “She has a fantastic work ethic and loves the sport. She had a few hiccups, but she didn’t let her mistakes rattle her. She’s gotten lots stronger, so she birdied both of the par-5s on the back nine.”
Bobinski said he’s hoping for a strong showing at state.
“The field at state will be a bit smaller because many teams are playing in the spring instead,” he said. “We’ve played most of the teams we’ll see at the state tournament during this season, and I will say a few are probably better than us. We want to post the best finish we can – this is a great opportunity for us.”