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WARMINSTER – Melanie Dickens should be forgiven if her mood was relatively subdued after surviving the elements to capture her second consecutive SOL title on Tuesday at Five Ponds.After her big win, the North Penn senior – who shot a very respectable 78 despite the driving rain and miserable conditions - wasn’t interested in doing a whole lot more than going home and getting some much-needed rest.
It’s undoubtedly the way even the most ardent golfer would feel after playing 45 holes in 24 hours, which is exactly what Dickens did. The gifted senior played 18 holes in yesterday’s SOL Men’s Tournament at Indian Valley Country Club. From there, she went directly to her team’s match against Central Bucks East only to have an early wake-up call for a 9 a.m. tee time on Tuesday.
“I went to sleep at 8:30 last night – I just passed out,” she said. “It was hard to get out of bed.
“When I was at the range this morning, my arms were sore. I’m so happy with the 78. I was just looking to score under 98 to make it to districts – 78 is a lot better. I definitely wanted to win, but after playing 27 holes yesterday, I was just looking to get under 98 this year.”
Dickens acknowledged that her exhaustion trumped even the inclement weather.
“The weather didn’t help either because it was a lot harder to walk the whole way,” she said. “Hitting those shots – you have to swing a little harder in the rain.”
North Penn coach Dave DiValentino was not surprised to see Dickens deliver in tough circumstances.
“I always knew Melanie was a trooper,” he said. “She has a strong mental game, so I knew she would be able to handle this. Last night, she was talking about this – she was ready to go. Nothing was going to stop her.
“Shooting a 78 – that’s hard for a lot of adults to do, and for her to combat the elements, it just proves – her game did the talking.”
Also earning medals were Council Rock North freshman Erica Herr, who finished just one stroke behind Dickens at 79, and Central Bucks East senior Jordan Glatt, who shot an 84.
“It was a little bit more difficult today just because it’s a little wet out,” Glatt said. “I changed my strategy – just choosing the right clubs and playing the right shot.”
Rock South coach Dennis Matika may have said it best when he came into the clubhouse with his group of golfers.
“All I know is there isn’t a guy around as tough as these girls,” he said. “They have iron in their veins.”
Eleven golfers survived the elements to make the district cut of 102, but it wasn’t easy.
“I would rather be playing in cold weather rather than rainy weather,” Rock South’s Hope Giordano said. “With the rain, it makes the rough thicker and the shots wetter – everything messes your game up.
“I just hope Tuesday is a better day.”
So does Dickens, who hopes to advance beyond the first day of districts for the first time.
“I missed it by one person the last two years,” she said. “They take the top 13, and I have been 14.
“That’s my goal this year – to make it past districts. That would be the best thing ever.”
SOL GIRLS’ GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Five Ponds Golf Course
Melanie Dickens (NP) 39-39-78*
Erica Herr (CRN) 38-41-79*
Jordan Glatt (CBE) 39-45-84*
Ashley Cassidy (CBE) 44-43-87*
Lily Gordon (CBW) 41-44-88*
Hope Giordano (CRS) 40-48-88*
Steph Yocum (CBE) 44-44-88*
Francesca Ruscio (CBE) 44-46-90*
Sarah Easton (UD) 43-49-92*
Jordan Niedosik (NP) 44-50-94*
Brittany Buonanno (Q) 49-50-99*
Caleigh Rich (NP) 51-53-104
Emily Haas (HH) 52-53-105
Kristina Farrer (WT) 56-53-109
Paloma Costanzo (CRN) 60-54 114
Samantha Moffat (HH) 62-60-122
*District Qualifier
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