Girls golf: Valparaiso’s Dubsky moves on at state finals

Updated: October 1, 2011 4:42PM

FRANKLIN — Valparaiso sophomore Harley Dubsky found it ironic to think about what aspect of her game suffered the most during a windy and chilly opening round of the IHSAA girls golf state tournament at The Legends Golf Club.

“It’s kind of ironic because you would think the hardest shots out here with the wind would be tee shots, but I hit those pretty good today,” said Dubsky, who advanced as an individual after shooting a 78 on the par-72 course. “My short game is what let me down today, but not really my putting because I didn’t have any three putts, but my chipping and pitching was bad.”

Despite her short game struggles, Dubsky had a birdie on the 18th hole, putting in a shot from just off the fringe. She is tied for 10th place heading into today’s final round. She finished fifth at last year’s state finals.

Dubsky had an up-and-down day, carding four birdies, five bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey.

“It was just kind of up and down and I was trying to finish well,” Dubsky said. “It’s nice to finish with a birdie, no matter what you shoot.”

Valparaiso, which played three freshmen and one sophomore — shot a 367, finishing 16th in the team standings. Freshmen Brooke Fullenkamp and Jennifer Gough each shot a 93; while senior Ellie Gorski carded a 103 and freshman Madison Macke had a 111.

“I’m happy,” said Valparaiso coach Bill Miller. “We’re young and each year we say this is experience and building, but one of these years we have to be mentally, especially with these conditions, mentally more prepared for what comes at us during a round.

“ I think we let things bother us a little too much maybe. On a day like today when things aren’t going to go your way because of the weather our mental aspect has to get better.”

Enjoying the journey: Highland senior Allison Banasiak didn’t advance to the second day of the state finals, but left The Legends Golf Club a happy golfer nonetheless.

“I was so excited,” Banasiak said after shooting a 93. “I didn’t really think I would make it to regional, let alone out of regional and get to state.”

Banasiak’s highlight of the day came when she birdied No. 16, a 160-yard par-3. Her approach shot came within two feet of the hole.

She shot a 42 on the par-36 Middle 9 of The Legends, but a double- and triple-bogey to open the back nine led to a rough finish, as she shot a 51 on the back side.

“She played really well on the front,” Highland coach Tom Brankin said.

“Those two holes (to start the back side) kind of took her out of her rhythm and she didn’t really get it back until No. 16 when she got that birdie.”

Banasiak’s trip to the state finals can be used as a building block for the Highland program, in its seventh year of existence.

“We talked about just enjoying the moment,” Brankin said. “I’m really proud of the way she turned it around and she’s really enjoyed it.”

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