Luke Loftus
The Surveyor
The Berthoud High School Spartans girls golf team has been off to a hot start despite enduring cold, windy weather to start the season.
Led by head coach David Hunn, who also teaches at the middle school and works at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins on the weekends and in the summer.
“We have 15 girls this year. Leading the way, we have a trio of girls who are seasoned veterans, even at a young age. We have two juniors, one in Julia Reed and Avery Tychsen,” Hunn said, while outlining this year’s team. “ then Ive got Madelyn Kuntz, she is a senior. Madelyn and Avery are returning state qualifiers. Avery was in the top 10 last year at state. She is a very solid player, a great young lady.”
Tychsen and Reed have each competed in four varsity events so far this season.
Tychsens best round so far is an 89 at Quail Dunes in Fort Morgan on March 26, where she earned third place. She also has shot rounds of 94, which was tied for 28th out of a total of 107 golfers.
Reed shot a 95 at the Olde Course in Loveland on April 1. She also has rounds of 96, 102 and 110 in three other varsity events.
Kuntz has played in three varsity events so far. In the Fort Morgan Invitational, she scored a 95, which was good for eighth place. Her best round this season is a 92 at the Olde Course.
The Berthoud girls golf team’s best finish was at the Fort Morgan event, where the girls finished second overall.
“ now, we are in eighth,” Hunn said when asked about how the team looks going forward, “And I think we can jump into the top five as a team once we get some more rounds under our belt that are not 45 degrees and windy.” He continued: “ can say the same thing, but some of these teams have only played in two varsity events while we have played in four.”
The top 84 golfers, based on average scores, will head to the state tournament. “ Tychsen is currently 25th in the state, Madelyn Kuntz is currently 44th, and Julia Reed is 46th,” Hunn explained.
But for the Berthoud golf program, its also about girls who are just getting into the game of golf.
Hunn brought up the rest of the roster, which includes a JV team and further development squads. He highlighted five freshman that fill up the roster. “re all so excited to play golf. And our school, I dont cut freshman or sophomores because I want a kid to be exposed to this silly game that we play and if they have never played before, I dont want that to discourage a kid from coming out and trying out,” Hunn said.
“ over the years, this is my 27th year of coaching both boys and girls, and the ninth year at Berthoud High. And I have seen girls who have never played before go and be top ten 10 in state their senior year.”