Free State sophomore Grace Brahler tees off at the 10th hole. Brahler shot a 90 at the Firebird Invitational, the lowest score among Lawrence golfers Tuesday at Eagle Bend Golf Course.

Lawrence High senior Kalli McClure tees off on No. 5. McClure shot a team-best 106.

Out of 15 teams at the Firebird Invitational Tuesday afternoon at Eagle Bend, host Free State High’s and crosstown rival Lawrence High’s girls golf teams finished 12th and 14th, respectively, a long way behind winner Olathe East.

Yet neither team seemed that down at the end of the 18-hole round, the first of two Sunflower League tournaments this year.

Free State sophomore Grace Brahler posted a 90, the lowest score for a Lawrence golfer at the invitational.

“I’m pretty happy with it,” Brahler said. “I know I could’ve done better, but I’m satisfied.”

Brahler said she arrived at Eagle Bend Tuesday hoping to shoot in the 80s.

“I was shooting to break 90, but shooting 90 is good enough,” she said, adding that lateral hazards were particularly troubling for her.

Her goal didn’t surprise her coach.

“She’s competitive,” Firebirds coach Craig Hershiser said. “She can really bear down and grind it out. She’s upset with herself if she makes a mental mistake. She’s upset with herself if she has a bad hole. But I think the difference is she doesn’t let that blow her up for succeeding holes.”

Brahler said the Firebirds weren’t at all concerned with finishing better than the rival Lions at the event.

“Actually we’re pretty good friends with all the Lawrence High girls,” she said, noting that all the girls congratulated each other at the conclusion of a long day on the course.

But Hershiser said the girls could take some pride in outplaying their friends from Lawrence High.

“I think it’s something that the kids can feel good about,” Hershiser said, despite what, if any, discontent they may have felt about their overall performance. “I know that they all feel like they should’ve gone a little lower, but that’s every golfer.”

The coach also wants his golfers to work on course management and hopefully shave a couple of strokes off their scores before their next 18-hole tournament.

“If we’re stuck in a tough situation, we really shouldn’t try to go for the green,” Hershiser said, adding that a less aggressive approach would help the Firebirds minimize damage.

Lawrence senior Kalli McClure shot a team-low 106, while using her seven iron, pitching wedge and putter exclusively.

“I’m not very consistent with it,” McClure said of her driver. “I feel more comfortable with my seven (iron).”

“I just try to keep chipping away at it and try to stay consistent,” she said of her unique course approach.

Even though the event is technically a road one for the Lions, McClure said it was nice to play in Lawrence and drive her own car to the golf course.

She said the Lions didn’t ever come to the course expecting to dominate and were more concerned with having a good time.

l Results on page 12B