Playing through the hottest stretch of the year, Escalon’s Lady Cougar golfers hit the links a few times this past week.

They started out Monday, Aug. 28 in the Merced Tournament at Merced Golf and Country Club.

“Very hot,” coach Kristie Cathcart said. “There were 15 schools at the tournament. Hilmar, Riverbank and Escalon were the smallest schools. Overall we took third place behind Gregori and Turlock.”

Cathcart said about 75 girls in all played, but more than a dozen did not finish the course.

For Escalon, it was Madison Kindberg leading the way.

“Madison had the fifth overall lowest score,” noted Cathcart. “I was very proud of them all for playing through the heat and finishing the way they did.”

Tuesday, the girls hosted Ripon and came away with a 26-stroke victory, defeating the Lady Indians 150-176.

“Always a good day when you beat Ripon,” a satisfied Cathcart said.

Team leaders were Kindberg and Mary Adams, both coming in at 36. Ellie Cunningham carded a 37, Amanda Rickman came in at 41 and Mikayla Schut at 42. Shelby McCune shot a 49.

“Ripon’s lowest score was 39. The girls really wanted this victory,” Cathcart added. “Before the match they wanted me to give them a score goal. Our lowest score at home last year was 148, so I said 150.”

Meeting the goal was good enough for the win.

Rounding out the week on the road Thursday, Aug. 31, the girls travel to take on Bret Harte. They lost to the Bullfrogs, who carded a team score of 217 to Escalon’s 232.

“Not a good day for Escalon golf. On the plus side, the team knows they did not do very well and were not happy with their scores.” Cathcart explained of the loss. “Greenhorn Creek is a very hard course with some challenging greens.”

Kindberg shot a 50, followed by Cunningham at 59, McCune with a 60, Adams and Schut both at 63 and Rickman at 65.

“The heat all week has been brutal but they have been battling through it and working hard,” Cathcart said.

The girls were scheduled to host Mountain House on Tuesday, after The Times went to press and the JV girls will play Wednesday, Sept. 6 against Livingston while the varsity will host Linden on Thursday, Sept. 7. The varsity squad is also scheduled to travel to the Yellow Jacket Tournament at Micke Grove on Monday, Sept. 11.