By Mariana Sims
12:10 began the Chaps journey to College Station, Texas to the A&M Consolidated Lady Tiger 2012 Invitational. Bus 71 was our "chauffer" for the trip, the same bus taken to the Victoria tournament the Chaps traveled a few weeks back, and the name of the route to Aggieland. The number 71 also happens to be a good one-under par score on most courses for 18 holes, a mark all of the Chap ladies strive for.
After two and a half hours on the great yellow bus, reminiscing about past tournaments, and catching up on much needed sleep, the Chaps arrived at Pebble Creek Golf Course. We played 9 holes for our practice round, picking solid targets, figuring out the right club to hit off the tee. After a good practice round, it was off to BJ’s Brewhouse where we had a lot of laughs over a nice team dinner and dessert.
Friday morning was a clear, bright day, a great day for the Chaps to shoot a record team score. We did just that, a score of 292, just four over par for the day, with a leading score of 68 from Sierra Sims. Meg Healy shot 75, Christine Campbell 76, Claire Wooldridge 80 and I shot a 73.
Smithson Valley was not too far behind with a team score of 308, San Antonio’s Johnson High School followed with a 316 and Lake Travis close behind with a 317. In 2011 the Chaps set the record for the lowest first day round ever in the tourney's seven year history. We boarded the bus to go to Chuy's, a familiar Austin, Texas' restaurant, to celebrate our low score. While there, we ran into some Westlake graduates and we realized that the Chaps have fans all over the state.
Saturday concluded the A&M Consolidated Invitational where the early morning brought us cold air and strong north winds. However, the wind proved no obstacle for the Westlake Chaps. We won first place by 20 strokes with strong scores from Sierra and Christine for a team total of 310 for the day and a 602 total for the tournament. Lake Travis pushed forward from behind, with a 305 total, and grabbed second place with Smithson Valley close behind. Little sister Sierra won the tournament's individual honors with a three-under par total of 141 and received the prestigious stuffed tiger award. A couple of pictures later and Coach Nowland's traditional pep talk, and the Chaps headed home after a fun, successful tournament in College Station.
Meg Healy, Clair Wooldridge, Sierra Sims, Christine Campbell, and Mariana Sims (left to right). Senior Meg Healy will play golf at Rhodes College and Senior Mariana Sims signed with Wake Forest.
Follow the Westlake Girls Golf Team at their website.
