Sports Editor

Tomah High School girls golf coach Tonya Gnewikow faced the challenge of two scrambles last week.

First was the Neillsville Scramble, the opening match of the 2008 season.

Second was the scramble to field a full varsity team, something that doesn’t appear likely until 2009.

Gnewikow took six golfers to Neillsville, but she anticipates only three will compete at the varsity level. She paired junior letterwinners Shelby Hoeft and Brianna Francis with sophomore newcomer Whitley Gronewald as the Timberwolves’ first team at Neillsville, and the trio shot a 45 during the nine-hole, best-ball event.

The second team of freshman Megan McGinnis, senior Sandra Betthauser and sophomore Chelsea Gabower combined for a 58.

No team scores were kept. A trio from Stanley-Boyd turned in the top performance with a score of 36.

Gnewikow said her top golfers put good distance on their drives but need to work on direction.

“We were in a little trouble with the trees,” Gnewikow said.

Based on the Neillsville match, Gnewikow said Hoeft, Francis and McGinnis will make up the varsity, while Gronewald, Betthauser and Gabower will golf junior varsity matches.

Gnewikow is still accepting players for the 2008 team.

“I need numbers,” Gnewikow said. “We will take players who are cut from volleyball and tennis.”

Anyone interested in competing on the girls golf team can contact Gnewikow at 378-3673 before school begins.

Tomah Invite

Tuesday, Hiawatha Golf Club in Tomah will be the site of the Tomah Invitational. Tee time is 8:45 a.m.

Tomah will be joined by Holmen, La Crosse Central/La Crosse Logan, La Crosse Aquinas, Marshfield, Neillsville, Wisconsin Rapids and Stanley-Boyd.

Gnewikow has high hopes for Hoeft and Francis scoring well on their home course. Both were varsity players last season.

“I’m really hoping for my two juniors to score well individually, and it would be great to see either one come away with a medal,” Gnewikow said.