For the first time in over 50 years, a high school girl from a Jefferson-based golf program has qualified for back-to-back State tournaments. Elaine Waples qualified in 1964-65 (didn’t play in ’65 due to illness) for Jefferson High School and current Greene County junior Rachael Danielson did it last season and this year.

Danielson and the other Class 4A qualifiers play 18 holes today and 18 tomorrow at Marshalltown’s Elmwood Country Club Golf Course at Marshalltown. Danielson is a goal-oriented individual and she has her sites set on a top five finish, which she and Coach Heath Telleen feel is realistic, and not just a dream. Danielson explains her goal-setting process. “It’s not just a dream. I have a sheet on my nightstand that says, ‘I’m going to place top five at State. I’ve had it there all year. Last it was ‘I’m going to the State Tournament. I’m a little superstitious, but I think it will happen.”

Live scoring from the State Tournament can be followed on a link found on the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website.