The Tigers showed consistent improvement throughout the season and are excited to compete in the coming years.  ”

Coach Ed Fullmer

SHERIDAN – The Niobrara County High School Tiger golf team wrapped up its 2024 fall season at the 2A state tournament in Sheridan on September 20-21. The Tigers took four boys – junior Charlie Gaukel and sophomores Keen Coffman, Hudson Leimser and Aubrey Manning. 

Francheska Bannan was the only representative on the girls’ side for the Tigers.  

The Tigers – along with the rest of the 2A field – faced a stiff challenge at Kendrick Golf Course in Sheridan. The weather was nothing short of perfect for the two-day event that saw Thermopolis and Sundance crowned as the boys and girls champions. 

On Friday, the Tigers struggled to manage the fast, sloping greens and shot higher scores than they wanted. Leimser and Manning each shot a 102, Gaukel a 127, Coffman a 139 and Bannan a 150. Scores across the board were higher with only one competitor in each field breaking 80.  

Saturday was a cooler morning that reminded the players that fall was on its way. The Tigers shook off the nerves of their opening round to show strong improvement. The boys team lowered their previous day score by 28 strokes. Coffman knocked 16 shots off of his 139 to shoot 123, Leimser improved by 14 going from 102 to 88 and Gaukel went from a 127 to a 121.  

Manning was faced with some struggles with his iron play but persevered to finish the two-day tournament in the top 20 with a 102-110.  

Bannan also struggled the second day shooting a 176. However, Bannan was in good spirits and created some strong bonds with her playing partners.  

Leimser’s second day improvement vaulted him up to 13th place and just seven shots out of an all-state finish.  

The Tigers showed consistent improvement throughout the season and are excited to compete in the coming years.