The matchups are set for the final day of the South Dakota Golf Association Men’s and Women’s Match Play Championships at Moccasin Creek Country Club.
It wasn’t easy for quite a few competitors on Saturday with multiple matches going into extra holes, including one that went 21 holes.
On the women’s side, Brynn Roerich of Watertown moved on to face Mitchell’s Allison Meyerink after defeating Katie Betsworth of Dakota Dunes in a quarterfinal that went 21 holes in a battle of state champions this past spring.
“I think in some aspects of the game I played well, but there is definitely a lot of improvement to do on my driver,” said Roerich, a three-time defending State B champ for Clark-Willow Lake. “I think I was in the trees about every time I hit it and had to punch out. So that’s definitely frustrating, when (Friday) that was the strongest part of my game.”
But Roerich didn’t just focus on the negatives. She pointed out the positives that helped her pull out a win at the Class A state champ.
“It does make me feel good,” Roerich said. “My short game was really good. I chipped really well, which is one thing I was really nervous about, because coming off the amateur I really struggled chipping. So, it feels good to get a win.”
With having to play such a tight match, Roerich thinks it could be an advantage when action resumes today.
“I’ve had to play playoffs at Sutton Bay and a few other summer tournaments,” Roerich said. “I think just over time playing in the playoffs has built up my confidence, so I don’t get nervous about things. … This is the first year I’ve played Match Play, so it’s a very new concept for me. I think I put myself down two a lot in (the second) round and I managed to battle back and put up a tie after the 18, and go to three extra holes and end up winning.”
Roerich is going to do everything she can to get a win today, but also knows how steep the competition will be.
“My expectation and mindset for (Sunday) is just to come out and play the best I can, and the cards are going to fall where they may,” Roerich said. “The people that are left are extremely good golfers. It’s anybody’s game and I think everybody is playing extremely well right now.”
The other matchup in the women’s bracket will be Mitchell’s Maddie Childs against Rapid City’s Rylan Horning, who both went 19 holes to advance to the semifinals.
Childs got a win over Natalie Young of Pierre after a late comeback that forced a playoff.
“I thought (my performance) was really good,” Childs said. “I definitely made some clutch shots, especially when I was down one coming into the 18th green on my last match. I had a great approach shot, so that was really nice. Then I made a good putt on the 19th hole to win the playoff. So, it was just really rewarding and exciting.”
Playing a full day of golf takes a toll in multiple ways.
“It’s definitely very mentally and physically exhausting,” Childs said. “It’s nice that we get to take carts, but especially in the heat with no wind, it’s a lot. But you just have to stay mentally engaged and just know that you’re not always going to hit your best shot, but you can always stay in it.”
Despite an exhausting round, Childs is looking ahead to her round of competition today.
“I’m looking forward to playing (Sunday),” Childs said. “I’m just proud of myself for making it this far.”
Childs knows what she needs to do to have a chance to win the championship.
“I (need to) play my game and stay mentally focused; that’s the best I can do,” Childs said. “Whatever the outcome is, I know I’ll be proud of myself.”
In the men’s bracket, Parker Edens of Brookings will face Hartford’s Radley Mauney in today’s semifinals, and Carter Peterson of Sioux Falls will play Brandon Sigmund of Mitchell.
Peterson, an 18-year-old and soon-to-be University of Sioux Falls golfer, got to the semifinals after wins over Michael Keeton of Pierre in the round of 16, and Dakota Munger of Pukwana in the quarterfinals.
“It’s super exciting. I never really expected to make it this far,” Peterson said. “My main goal at the beginning was just to make it out of my pod, win the matches in front of me, and I’ve been fortunate to do that.”
Part of the reason for Peterson’s success has been his ability to putt.
“I think my strong suit for the entirety of the tournament has been my putting,” Peterson said. “I’ve been able to putt really well, make some longer ones and take care of the short ones. That’s really helped me, because my ball striking struggled a little bit throughout the tournament.”
The course has also provided a bit of a challenge for Peterson.
“I noticed that the green speed changed from the morning to the afternoon,” Peterson said. “In the morning the putts were a lot faster, but then the second match I left a couple putts short, so I thought they were a little slower, so I kind of had to adjust.”
Peterson has a plan for his semifinal match.
“Hone in on hitting a lot of fairways and a lot of greens,” Peterson said. “I hit my driver a lot better this afternoon than this morning and (Friday). So get the driver going, hit a lot of fairways and hit a lot of greens, and then try to throw a couple birdies in there and par the rest. That’s all I can do.”
Peterson will match up with the 51-year-old Sigmund, who took down Vermillion’s Grant Campbell in the round of 16 and Chris Long of Presho in the quarterfinals.
“I played really well today,” Sigmund said. “As far as the short game, I was really good. Tee to green had a few issues, but got her around enough to be able to make it work.”
With Sigmund’s experience, a long day of golf doesn’t bother him too much.
“It’s not too bad,” Sigmund said. “I hit a lot of golf shots throughout the summer, so I don’t feel tired. I’m 51, so it feels good that I don’t feel tired. Getting up early in the morning is what’s the worst.”
For Sigmund, the mental element is more of a factor than the physical side.
“It’s more mental,” Sigmund said. “It’s taxing trying to stay in it after bad shots. Keep your head up and know there’s a lot of holes left or a lot of game left. Just work your way through it and try to make your best score.”
Sigmund’s plan heading into the semifinals is to focus on his short game.
“I need to keep doing the same thing,” Sigmund said. “I’ve been making a lot of putts and that’s usually the key to playing well in the SDGA events. It’s a good short game, making putts. That’s usually what you need to do.”
The championship matches will take place following this morning’s semifinal round.
To see complete tournament results, click on the following link:
