Beck makes Waterford strong title contender
By Chris Bennett and Mike Ramczyk
Since the golfer’s success was first reported in the Aug. 20 edition of the Waterford Post, Waterford standout Taitum Beck has been on a tear.
Sparked by a record-breaking performance in her first meet of the season at Hawk’s View in Lake Geneva Aug. 11, Beck broke course records in each of her next two events.
On Aug. 17, Beck led a Waterford foursome with a winning score of 63 at the Evergreen four-person scramble in Elkhorn.
Two days prior, Beck’s 73 helped Waterford win an event at Edgewood Golf Course in Big Bend. The Lady Wolverines finished with a team score of 371.
Both marks were course records.
Waterford continues its season Tuesday at Rivermoor Golf Course in Waterford, where the Wolverines open conference play against Westosha Central.
Conference title in team’s sights
It is 36 years – 1980 – since the Waterford Union High School girls golf team won a conference title. New head coach Robb Shales figures this might as well be the year the Wolverines finally finish first again.
“I see us competing very well,” Shales said. “We should have a very solid roster. With all of our experienced golfers, we will come out ready to win.”
Waterford opened its season Thursday with a SLC dual meet against Badger at Hawk’s View Golf Course in Lake Geneva. The Wolverines compete Monday in an invitational hosted by Mukwonago at Edgewood Golf Course in Big Bend.
Shales is taking over for Jon Leonard. Shales is a PGA Apprentice at Rivermoor Golf Club in Waterford. He graduated from UW-Stout in Menomonie in 2013 and spent the previous three years in Muskego at Muskego Lakes Country Club.
Shales said he wanted to coach high school golf while in Menomonie, but could not fit the commitment into his schedule.
“When I heard the job opened, and that I moved to Rivermoor, it was like everything was just aligning,” Shales said. “I also went to Westosha Central, so it is exciting for me to coach against my former school.”
Waterford went 4-2 last season in SLC dual meets and finished third overall. Union Grove won the conference for the fourth consecutive season.
The Wolverines return their top five from last season – seniors Tatum Beck, Lauren Torhorst and Natalie Lindell, junior Maddie Anderson and sophomore Aubrie Torhorst.
Beck is Waterford’s returning MVP. In each of the previous two seasons Tatum Beck missed advancing to the WIAA Division 1 state girls golf tournament by one stroke.
Shales said new faces Jenna Ritzman, a senior, and junior Aly Schauer might also contribute to the team’s success.
“The talent level of the athletes, paired with the teaching and coaching abilities of the new staff, should be a great combination for success in 2016,” Shales said.
Shales said Christina Bakken and Amy Hatch are taking over Waterford’s junior varsity this season.
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