Back in the swing

Hawks’ Gerber, McMahen lead way as local prep competition resumes

The first Arizona Interscholastic Association athletic event in Yuma since the pandemic began in mid-March occurred Tuesday evening at Desert Hills Golf Course.

The boys and girls teams for Gila Ridge and Kofa battled in the 9-hole match on a beautiful afternoon.

Gila Ridge’s boys team beat

Kofa 187-244, while the Hawks’ girls team won

217-307.

Leading the way for the Hawks’ girls team was Kylee Gerber with a round of 43.

Gerber, the 2019-20 Yuma Sun/ Yuma Rotary Girls Golfer of the Year, is the best returning player in town.

However, her score of 43 wasn’t quite the start she envisioned as she aims to build off her Top-20 finish at the 2019 AIA DII state tournament.

The pace of play (almost a threehour round to complete the nine holes) contributed to Gerber’s lack of success Tuesday.

“It’s definitely a challenge adjusting back to school play where it can be a lot slower, which you have to accommodate to,” the senior golfer said. “It’s just a matter of getting used to that and being able to focus on my own shots instead of what everyone else is doing. That’s all I need to worry about on the course.”

Despite the 43, Gerber is pleased with her swing. She mentioned the most important thing is becoming more consistent throughout the duration of the round.

Emma Christensen, 53, Jaymi Baker, 59, and Ellie Palmer, 62, rounded out the Hawks’ top contributors.

Nicole Wolff, 76, Madysen Martinez, 76, Samantha Dahin, 77, and Elena Nunez 78, were the top scorers for Kofa.

John McMahen led the way for the boys Gila Ridge team with a low round of 40.

“(John) was one of our most consistent guys last year in the

42-44 range,” Gila

Ridge boys coach

James Kuzniak said. “He was off a little bit, but he knows how to minimize the damage and never lets it snowball. That’s a testament to the kind of player he is.”

Just a sophomore, McMahen showed the composure and ball-striking ability to be one of the best players in town this season.

Kuzniak was pleased with his team’s performance and understands the importance of his guys playing true to themselves.

“It’s not so much them against us, but us against the course,” he said.

Micha Nossaman, 45, Austin Whilborg, 51, and Nathaniel Golding, 51, were the remaining top

GILA RIDGE’S JOHN MCMAHEN has a frustrated look on his face as he watches his attempt at a birdie putt roll to the right of the cup on the par-3, No. 8 hole at Desert Hills Municipal Golf Course during Tuesday afternoon’s match with Kofa. McMahen would then roll in the par putt.

GILA RIDGE’S KYLIE GERBER blasts her way out of a sand trap and onto the green on the par-3, No. 4 hole at Desert Hills Municipal Golf Course during Tuesday afternoon’s match with Kofa.