Alexandra Quihuis (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Salpointe beat Sahuaro 169 to 214 Monday in an early season match at Randolph North. Salpointe senior Alexandra Quihuis shot an even-par 37, Salpointe freshman Mackenzie McRee shot 39 and Sahuaro senior Serenity Guerrero came in with a 40 to take third.

Cougar standout Halley Hughes was not available due to an illness.

Quihuis took second place at the Division II state championship last year and she hopes to have an even better senior season, coming off a competitive summer that included a hole-in-one at the IMG Junior World Championships held at Torrey Pines.

Quihuis hopes to get her driver going to help improve her consistency, “We have an exciting team this year with Mackenzie joining us and it looks like we have a solid four heading into the season.”

The Golf Channel featured McRee last March as she overcame scoliosis to qualify for the Drive, Chip and Putt competition held at Augusta. At one point, McRee wore a back brace 21 hours a day but she is regarded as one of the top golfers in the state regardless.

Like McRee, Salpointe sophomore Madeline Hall came into the season overcoming a serious medical concern. Battling constant headaches and fearing the worst, Hall’s parents sought medical attention and she was diagnoses with s form of Chiari Malformation.

Simply, cerebellar tonsils extend into the spinal cord in the base of the neck, causing headaches and pain when a person exerts themselves. A neurosurgeon completed a surgical procedure on July 5 to correct the issue and Hall was playing golf again within a month. Despite a three inch scar that is only visible when her hair is lifted in the back, Hall is now playing headache free.

“I had a little soreness and a little tightness but I feel so much better,” Hall said. “I’m hoping to do much better this year and help my team and be able to do simple things like hit a bucket of balls without getting headaches.”

Salpointe is playing in the Nighthawk Invitational this Friday and Saturday.

Guerrero took 16th last year and Hughes came in17th at the D-II state championships to help lead the Cougars to a seventh place finish as a team. The Lancers took sixth.