Tartan's Dotas is Second in Meet, but Still Wins Golfer of the Year Honors

Richfield senior Alex Westman won the battle Wednesday, while senior Rochelle Dotas won the war.

Westman shot an 85 to capture medalist honors in the Classic Suburban Conference girls golf meet held at Phalen Park Golf Course in St. Paul.

Dotas was second with an 85, but was still named the conference player of the year.

Mahtomedi won the team competition with a 400. Simley edged Hill-Murray for second, 414-415.

“My goal was to do the best because I’ve been trying to get first in one of our tournaments,” said Westman. “But I was expecting it to go OK.  All my shots were going pretty straight, which was good. My putting was all right.”

Her overall game, Westman said, “was kind of all over the place a little bit. I need to work on my putting and if I do that, then I know I’ll get a little better score.”

Westman said her goal this season was to qualify for the state meet. She’ll get her chance May 31 and June 1 as Richfield competes in the section meet at the Ridges of Sand Creek course in Jordan.

Westman and Dotas waged a fierce battle Wednesday for medalist honors.

“I wanted to be undefeated in conference and I was so far,” Dotas said. “So it was kind of a letdown to not finish first. But it’s OK, I think I’m in first place points wise. The back nine was hard on me, I shot well overall.

“I had a little trouble with the trees, as everyone did probably,” Dotas added. “And the rough was really thick, but my putting saved me.”

Dotas is aiming for top finishes in the section and state meets. Dotas has competed in the state tournament the last two years, finishing 22nd at state last season.

“I want to be the first individual to qualify for sections, because they take the first five girls and I want to be All State this year,” Dotas said.

Team scores: 1. Mahtomedi 400. 2. Simley 414. 3. Hill Murray 415. 4. Tartan 432. 5. Richfield 436. 6. South St. Paul 437. 7. North St. Paul 450. 8. Henry Sibley 490.

Individual medalist: Alex Westman, 83.

Simley scores: Jessica Pate, 96; Maddy Urness, 100; Maria Paulson, 108; Kaitlin Pfeffer, 110; Riley Swenson, 110; Hailey Ewers, 128.

Tartan scores: Rochelle Dotas, 85; Alexis Chau, 114; Madelyn Miller, 116; Jessica Yang, 117; Holly Wilson, 135; Victoria Yapel, 144.

Richfield scores: Alex Westman, 83; Maddy Hanson, 106; Sophie Webster, 118; Madison Andrews, 126; Katie LaBelle, 128.

Henry Sibley scores: Emmy Saxon, 110; Alex Van Bogart, 126; Hannah Thompson, 128; Laura Hartley, 133; Mariah Thompson, 126; Amy Weispfenning, 151.