TEEING IT UP — Members of the Fairmont Cardinal varsity girls golf lineup opening the season by playing host to Truman/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther on Tuesday at Interlaken Golf Course outside of Fairmont include, left to right: Brynn Gustafson, Anika Haugen, Solveig Senf and Leslie Zarling. Not pictured: Cadence Montgomery, Madi Peyman and Katherine Zelaya. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Cardinals head girls golf coach Brad Haugen has a solid top three in his varsity lineup and some newcomers this season to make the squad a competitive group.

Last year the Cardinals won the Big South Conference’s East Division.

“We’re strong with veterans at the top of our lineup,” Haugen said. “We also have a nice team blend with veterans and some younger players to learn at the varsity level.”

Haugen begins his ninth year as Fairmont’s head girls golf coach.

Fairmont plays its home matches at Interlaken Golf Club and the Cardinals’ first home match is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, against Truman/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther. According to Haugen, the dual meet might be moved to April 14.

The girls play several invitationals this spring during a busy April and May.

“Redwood Valley and Minnewaska (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa) Area have fielded strong teams the past few years and I think they’ll be tough once again,” Haugen said. “We feel good about our chances of playing well, day in and day out.”

Minnewaska Area/BBE finished fourth in the 2022 Class AA state tournament.

The top five finishers on the first day of the section tournament move on to play on Day 2 and the winner of the section makes the state finals as a team. The Cardinals made the state finals as a team in 2021.

The state tournament for the 2023 season returns to Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan and is June 13-14.

Two of this season’s top players are senior Solveig Senf (committed to play golf at St. Olaf College) and junior Brynn Gustafson, who each played in the Class AA tournament last spring at Ridges at Sand Creek.

Senf finished tied for 21st place with Berkley Steffen of Minnewaska Area/BBE with a 86-44–130 and Gustafson tied for 68th with Grace Fischer of Crookston with a 97-54–151.

Due to a lengthy weather delay, the second round was only 9 holes instead of the usual 18 holes and played on the back nine.

Another returning senior is Anika Haugen, who forms a solid trio at the top of the Cardinals’ lineup.

“The seniors with varsity experience, and a junior, are nice to have on the team as we head into the season,” Brad Haugen said. “We have other players who will battle to make the varsity.”

Freshman Leslie Zarling, who competed in a number of varsity meets last spring, also will be in the varsity competitive mix.

“I also have to give a shout-out to our JV coach, Louise Hendricks. She helps the younger kids and helps make an impact to our program,” said Brad Haugen.

Joining the program is a quartet of newcomers, including sophomore Cadence Montgomery, freshman Madi Peyman and eighth-grader Katherine Zelaya.

The newcomers have the potential to elevate their game after playing with the veterans, and help the Cardinals stay competitive as a team this season.

Dylan Post is Brad Haugen’s assistant coach.