St. Edward, Coffman nab regional titles

It was a good trip west for St. Edward's girls golf team Wednesday.

The Green Wave shot a 380, the fourth lowest team score of any Class A regional champion in the state, and claimed the team title at the Rock Falls regional played at Rock River Country Club.

It's just the second regional title in Green Wave program history and the first since 1998.

"It was a good day," said Wave coach Mike Lehman. "It was a tough golf course. The greens were really fast. It was one of those days where you just had to survive."

St. Edward senior Danielle Coffman did more than survive - she shot an 87 to win the regional championship.

"It's nice, and it's nice the team won too," said Coffman, who qualified for state last year.

Coffman went out in 44-43, but said her back nine was much better.

"I got really down on myself on the front nine and I was thinking 'I'm not even going to get out of regionals,' " she said. "I couldn't hit anything straight and only my putting saved me. But when I made the turn my coach told me to just keep my head in there and I just kept my head in it and did it. I had a strong finish and that made me happy."

"I think Danielle regained her composure about halfway through the round and realized the course was playing tough and she finished strong," Lehman said.

St. Edward senior Erin Schneider, who carded an 89, also said the course was difficult.

"It was a really though course," Schneider said. "The fairways were narrow and the greens were really slick. I'm surprised I putted as well as I did. Everything was good except my chipping but I can practice on that. I'm excited for sectionals."

So is Coffman, considering St. Edward had the best regional score of any team feeding into Monday's Byron sectional at Prairieview.

"Everyone will be gunning for us but we like the challenge," Coffman said. "It puts a little fire in our belly."

John Radtke contributed to this report.