With the return of the Dolores High School girls golf program last spring, both head coach Cheri Walker and her players knew there would be a learning curve. Fortunately, the roster was full of student-athletes with an appetite for learning.
Entering its second year back as a varsity program, Dolores continues to develop the physical and mental disciplines that the sport demands, with scorecard improvements representing only a small fraction of the Bears’ growth in the past year.
Through the early competitions, Walker has been impressed by her team’s improved approach to the game, including ball striking and strategic planning for each shot or hole. In their first two varsity events of the season in Montrose on April 13-4, the Bears improved by 17 strokes as a team from day one to day two.
“I’m thrilled with the improvement in our short game skills and our growth working out bad habits,” said Walker.
The Dolores roster is led by its Class of 2026, with co-captains Julianne Vega and Jadyn Gorsuch setting the tone.
“Despite juggling roles in Knowledge Bowl, theater and college coursework, both of them show up every day,” said Walker. “Julianne demonstrates the work ethic and focus necessary for the game, and Jadyn brings an energy that makes our team exciting and inclusive.”
That balance has helped as the Bears welcome several players new to the sport, including senior Amelia Pym, junior Piper Green and freshman Ekaterina Erlandson.
Vega improved by 11 strokes from her Monday round at Cobble Creek to shoot a 117 at Black Canyon, while Green and Pym shaved six and five strokes, respectively, between their two rounds.
“We’ve set individual goals at the beginning of the season, and this year we’ve brought awareness to stat tracking to help guide both individual and team practice,” Walker said. “We’re learning to play the course, learn strategy and make appropriate club selections.”
The work is paying off in ways that go beyond the scorecard. Walker has emphasized a broader perspective on the game, particularly the challenges faced by her athletes.
“It’s not just about the mental aspect of the game, there are also pressures of being a female student-athlete in an individual competition sport,” said Walker.
She has leaned on nearly two decades of coaching experience to help her players manage those stresses, especially given how driven they are in both their athletic and academic pursuits.
As the Bears prepare for upcoming events on their home course at Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez, including tournaments scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, and the M-CHS-hosted tournament the following week, Walker hopes the team’s preparation leads to continued improvement over the final month of the season.
“I’m excited for our seniors and our new players – that they continue on their current trajectory,” Walker said. “It makes me encouraged for the future of the program.”
