Holdrege, Neb. – On Tuesday, the Holdrege and Minden girls golf teams met at the Holdrege Country Club for what will become an annual event between the two rival schools. The prize for winning the early-season dual, besides bragging rights, is the “Dusty Dog” trophy. Much like traditions one would commonly see in college football, the “Dusty Dog” is a traveling trophy that will be displayed by the winning team until the next year’s dual.
The 2024 “Dusty Dog” went to the Holdrege Dusters after they were able to defeat the returning Class C runner-up in a match play style of competition. The Dusters topped the Whippets 14.5-12.5 after three different settings in their nine-hole match. Each setting takes place over three holes with a two-on-two format. The first set of three holes has “best ball” scoring, followed by an alternate shot format, and is capped off with a three-hole scramble. Each hole is worth one point for each match with a total of 27 points available.
The Dusters were able to win two out of the three match pairings:
Amelia Ptacnik/Addi Rehnberg(Holdrege) over Kara Suchsland/Isabelle Martin(Minden) 7.5-1.5
Ella McClymont/Kaylin Sughroe(Holdrege) over Brynn Smith/Shelby Nelson(Minden) 5.5-3.5
KayLynn Jorgensen/Brooklyn Workman(Minden) over Grace Anderson/Addie Westcott(Holdrege) 7.5-1.5
Duster head coach Craig Hall said of the new event, “This is one of the most fun things I’ve been around as a golf coach.” He enjoyed the fact that the match play style allowed the girls to work together and help each other out depending on the “momentum of the hole”.
“Amelia and Addi R. played extremely flawless golf,” Hall added. “They shot even on the day through the formats and were catalysts for the win.” Hall noted that even though Anderson and Westcott didn’t get a win, it was huge for them to be able to earn one and a half points against Jorgensen and Workman. As a sophomore, Jorgensen tied for 4th place in last year’s Class C state tournament.
Coach Hall says the dual is a fun opening match between two schools who have a rich history in girls golf. From 1993-1998, the Class B State Championship was won by either Holdrege or Minden. The Dusters held the title in 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1998. Minden won it in 1994 and 1996.
While the “Dusty Dog” will find a home in the Holdrege High School trophy case, its stay could be temporary. The dual will head to Minden at the start of next year’s season, and the Whippets may want to give the trophy a change of scenery.
