Lady Cats compete at nationals

The Hot Springs County High School Lady Cats competed in the 2024 Girls High School Golf National Invitational Tournament July 8-10. The event was held at the PGA Frisco Campus and covered three days of very challenging play, on some premier golf courses, located in and around Frisco, Texas. The invite-only tournament is made up of the premier high school golfers in the nation, and is described by the PGA as "a celebration of a player's hard work and excellence during their high school golf season."

The Lady Cats team was comprised of Lilly Johnson, Maggie Landon and Madison Shaffer. Their invite to play in the tournament was achieved by virtue of their historic win at the Wyoming State High School Championship Tournament, held in Newcastle this past September. That win was the first state girls championship in golf for Hot Springs High School since 2008. Along with their teammates, Dazlynn Hunt and Austin Slagle, these three Lady Cats also brought home a championship last spring for their excellent play in Torrington, at the Spring Championship Golf Tournament.

The national tournament was comprised of 207 players from schools scattered across the nation. Round one was played at Westridge Golf Club, while round two saw the competition playing at Gentle Creek Country Club. The final round was held at the Fields Ranch West Golf Course. While all three courses presented players with significant challenges, the level of competition can be gleaned by the fact that all of the top thirty players finished under par for the tournament.

Lilly Johnson carded a 98, a 106 and a 112 for the three days, for a total of 316. Maggie Landon posted a 102, a 110 and a 126, for a total of 338 for the tournament. Maddison Shaffer finished with scores of 94, 114, and 120, for a total of 328.

Commenting on the event, coach Brandon Deromedi stated, "The opportunity was eye opening for all of the Lady Cats. They all were able to meet some terrific players from around the country, and formed many new friendships. The girls also got to do some sight-seeing, and were overloaded with some sweet gear."

Coach Ryan Shaffer added, "The competition was daunting, and the courses were very different, and much more difficult, than those the team has experienced in Wyoming – for example, the different type of grass they use in Texas made reading greens a definite learning experience. None of the girls had previously played at that level, but they were all very excited to play, and came away from the experience with some fond memories, and some new skills they can use in the future."

The fall season is fast approaching, with practices beginning August 12, followed immediately by the first rounds of the season at the Powell Invitational on Wednesday, August 14.

Landon graduated in May so she will not be returning to the team.