It was a record setting day at Bakker’s Crossing in southern Sioux Falls on Tuesday, and not just because of high temps. Harrisburg junior Reese Jansa finished the girls ‘AA’ state golf tournament with an unbelievable score of 8-under par.
This is the best individual scoring performance in girls golf at a state tournament since Clark native Kim Kaufman scored 7-under par in 2008 at Hart Ranch Golf Course in Rapid City.
Jansa’s 8-under mark is also presumably a state tournament record in girls golf, but it has not yet been officially confirmed by the South Dakota High School Activities Association. State record or not, it’s a good day when your name is being mentioned in the same conversation as LPGA member Kim Kaufman.
“Kim Kaufman has been one of my biggest role models. I’ve looked up to her since I was young,” Jansa explained. “She’s on the LPGA. I would love to be on that. This is really cool.”
After day one, Jansa held a six-stroke lead at 5-under. On Tuesday, she finished 3-under for the day, which gave her the 8-under total for the tournament.
“I’ve really put in my time. I go out to the golf course every day and I’m really putting in the time to get better,” Jansa said. “My putting has seriously been like the best thing. Practicing that has been the best thing for me.”
As a freshman, she was already breaking onto the all-tournament team with a fourth-place finish at the 'AA' state tournament. Last year, with everything cancelled, there was no spring golf tournaments.
“I actually practiced more in that time than I ever had. Not having school for like two months, I was out at the golf course every day,” stated Jansa. “I just really found my true talent, I would say. Honestly, I can do better, but I know this is where I stand.”
Jansa has not yet committed to a college for golf, but she has had discussions with multiple schools.
O’Gorman, who ironically is coached by Reese Jansa’s relative Tom Jansa, won the ‘AA’ girls state team championship on Tuesday. The Knights were led by second place finisher Shannon McCormick (+3), third place finisher Lauren Sutcliffe (+9), and fourth place finisher Emily Kolb (+10). As a team, O’Gorman shot just 54-over par.
