The Hastings Raiders girls varsity golf team faced a packed slate of matches last week, competing in a dual meet against North-Tartan on Monday, the Metro East Conference Mid-Conference meet at Oak Marsh on Tuesday, and another dual against South St. Paul on Thursday. The Raiders showed consistency and resilience, highlighted by several standout individual performances and a strong team win to close out the week.
While results varied across the three events, the team’s depth and continued growth were evident. Hastings finished fourth overall at the Mid-Conference meet, and capped the week with a decisive win over South St. Paul on the road. Each match offered valuable experience as the Raiders gear up for the second half of the season and postseason play.
Tight competition in dual meet against North-Tartan
The week kicked off with a dual meet at Hidden Greens Golf Course on April 28, where Hastings went head-to-head with North-Tartan. The match format didn’t produce a definitive team winner, but the Raiders had several players hold their own against a strong Titans squad. With players going out in pairs and matched by seed, the competition served as a tune-up for the more intense Mid-Conference play to come.
Hastings’ top six, Claire Stoffel, Madison Haines, Harmon Brown, Maddy Ritter, Haylee Newton, and Lauren Judge, all posted even-par rounds through the event, suggesting the match was more of a scrimmage format or possibly weather-shortened. Either way, the Raiders’ lineup demonstrated poise and preparedness.
Senior leaders Stoffel and Haines showed their consistency once again, while sophomore Harmon Brown and freshman Maddy Ritter continued to solidify their roles in the middle of the lineup. Junior returners Newton and Judge rounded out a balanced team performance.
Fourth place finish in Metro East Mid-Conference Meet
On April 29, the Raiders traveled to Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale for the Metro East Conference Mid-Conference meet, squaring off against seven teams in the field. Hastings placed fourth overall with a team score of 364 (+84), behind conference leader Two Rivers (334), Mahtomedi (344), and Hill-Murray (351). The meet featured a competitive field and served as a key midseason measuring stick.
The Raiders’ scoring was led by sophomore Harmon Brown, who fired an impressive 87 (+17), placing 8th individually in the tournament. Senior Claire Stoffel followed closely with an 88 (+18), earning a 10th-place finish and keeping her steady presence at the top of the lineup.
Senior Madison Haines delivered a 92 (+22) to finish 16th, while junior Lauren Judge carded a 97 (+27) to land in 23rd. Rounding out the scoring were sophomores Courtney Pine (101, +31) and Haylee Newton (118, +48), both gaining valuable experience in a high-stakes setting.
Though the Raiders didn’t crack the top three, the team’s depth and consistency in the top four positions were promising signs. With continued work on course management and short game, Hastings looks well-positioned for a strong postseason push.
Raiders dominate in win over South St. Paul
The week wrapped up on a high note as the Raiders traveled to Southview Country Club on May 1 and took down South St. Paul in a dual meet, 200 to 213. The team posted one of its best collective rounds of the season, winning by 13 strokes on a challenging course.
Sophomore Harmon Brown led the way with a round of 46 (+10), taking medalist honors and continuing her breakout season. Senior Claire Stoffel followed with a 47 (+11), maintaining her role as one of the most consistent performers in the conference.
Junior Haylee Newton posted a solid 52 (+16), while freshman Bently Brown made her varsity debut in style, shooting a 55 (+19) to match senior Madison Haines. Junior Lauren Judge rounded out the team scoring with a 56 (+20), keeping all six players within a ten-stroke range, a sign of the program’s depth and steady development.
This dual meet win was a confidence boost for the Raiders, demonstrating the team’s ability to perform under pressure and take care of business in one-on-one matchups. With each player contributing and the younger golfers gaining momentum, the team’s future looks promising.
Looking ahead
With a full slate of matches behind them, the Hastings girls golf team now turns its attention to the final stretch of the regular season and conference play. Led by seasoned seniors and supported by rising underclassmen, the Raiders are building toward a strong finish. If last week’s performances are any indication, Hastings has the talent and cohesion to make noise in the Metro East and beyond.