Greenwave girls golf finishes season at state

Facing hot temperatures on top of two challenging courses, Fallon’s Hannah Benjamin and Charissa Chenoweth finished below their season average at the state tournament Oct. 17 at the par-71 Palms Golf Course in Littlefield, Ariz., and on Wednesday at the par-72 CasaBlanca Golf Club in Mesquite.

Benjamin, competing in the final tournament of her career, shot 100s on both days to finish 17th overall and seventh-best among Northern Nevada golfers.

“They did wonderful,” Fallon coach Sandy Vanderbeek said. “Hannah found her calmness and played with strength and confidence. She was able to drive the ball the best she has all season. I was able to see her make par for a few and also she made a great birdie.”

Chenoweth, a junior, finished 18th after carding a 103 on the first day before finishing with a 98 on the final day.

“Charissa played with a level head,” Vanderbeek said. “She was great at staying focused and building on good drives. She was putting very well and also had a great chip in. She had a few rough holes but didn't let it affect her rounds. She did have a great second day.”

The top score went to Boulder City’s Emmerson Hinds, who finished one stroke below par each day to total a 141 two-day score. The best Northern Nevada golfer was Wooster’s Rya Montoya, who finished with a 152 (75-77). The Meadows won the team championship with a total of 731 while Virgin Valley finished second at 790. The top team from the North was Fernley, which carded an 822.

While the meet was Benjamin’s final curtain, it also closed the chapter in coaching for Sandy Vanderbeek. She started coaching golf in 2005 as an assistant for Phil Pinder, and then took over the head coaching position in 2017. Vanderbeek assisted the boys for four seasons before Fallon won the state title in 2011 when her son, Matthew, captured the individual state title.

“I am very thankful I was able to be a part of this program,” said Vanderbeek, who’s thankful to the Fallon Golf Course staff as well as Kim Park and Chelle Dalager for assisting in coaching. “I would say thank-you to Mr. Pinder for helping me grow as a coach, thank you to the team for working hard, and also to the parents for their support.”