Schroefel places in top half at nationals
June 7, 2016 by Laura Phagan
Of the 109 players at the NJCAA Women’s National Golf Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, freshman Sarah Schroefel placed in the top half.
The four day event took place on the Ladies Professional Golf Association headquarters and international course, something Schroefel said she was looking forward to.
“Being able to play there was an honor,” Schroefel said.
Schroefel performed well and dominated other players from Region IX. In four rounds she finished with a total score of 258, placing 41st overall. Schroefel was the only player in the region to qualify for nationals as an individual, with the second lowest score; the golfer with the first lowest score qualified with her team not as an individual.
Schroefel’s journey to nationals was tough to prepare for with Wyoming’s unpredictable weather but with help from her coach, Pat Rafferty and a local professional golfer Bernie Blan, she was able to beat the odds and make her way.
“She really did awesome at nationals,” Rafferty said. “She gained a lot of confidence from it and she will be a top performing player in the region next season.”
The course was a challenge mentally and physically. I pushed my body to the limits with the heat and because it was such a long course. Golf is a very mental sport and in this national tournament the difference in placing was within a matter of one or two strokes. So every shot counted and sometimes I would let that get to me and I would over think, but then I would remind myself to have fun and enjoy the moment. ”
Sarah Schroefel
With the event in Florida, Schroefel faced 80 degree heat, 100 percent humidity and each round lasting up to six hours. But through the competition and weather Schroefel persevered and will return to CWC’s golf team as a sophomore in the fall.
“This was a great season and I am so thankful for my amazing coach,” Schroefel said. “He pushed me to my limits and was always there supporting me, no matter what. I was the first person to get to go to this tournament from Wyoming and it is because CWC started this golf program. The people at the school and the community have really supported this team and I am so thankful that CWC has given me the chance to represent them and Wyoming at this national tournament. It was an amazing experience and I learned so much and know what I need to work on to get there next year as well.”