In 2025, Bishop Garrigan’s girls golf team found themselves on the doorstep of their first state tournament berth in three years, but the season would end in heartbreak, with a third place finish in the regional final, just eight strokes away from qualifying for state. In 2026, the Golden Bears would not be denied, earning regional redemption with a second place finish at the regional final hosted by South O’Brien, and a state berth.
The girls golf program at Bishop Garrigan had long established a tradition of success at the state level prior to their most recent state berth in 2022. That 2022 season resulted in the program’s third straight class 1A state title (2019, 2021, and 2022, with the 2020 season cancelled), and 10th overall state title in program history. Following the title, six of the seven golfers on the roster graduated, and the Golden Bears began a multi-year transition process in the program to try to get back to a state-qualifying level.
The freshman class of 2023 included current seniors Addison Kuper and Ava Snider, as Head Coach Stephanie Ehlers says to have them qualify for state marked a full circle moment for the program.
The 2023 team did not qualify for state, or even for the regional final, but the group took a leap forward in 2024, qualifying for the regional final, placing 4th, and finishing just 10 strokes outside of state qualifying position. 2025 marked another season of forward progress, but the Golden Bears left the regional final disappointed, unable to take the next step forward to state after missing a top-two finish by eight strokes.
According to Ehlers, the Golden Bears resolved themselves to not let another close miss at regionals happen again.
The final standings at the 2026 regional final saw South O’Brien in 1st place with 360, Bishop Garrigan comfortably in 2nd with 371, Akron-Westfield 3rd with 396, Alta-Aurelia 4th with 413, MMCRU 5th with 417, and Remsen St. Mary’s 7th with 437, officially sending the Golden Bears to the state tournament for the 20th time in program history.
Even going into the meet, Ehlers had no doubt in Bishop Garrigan’s ability to qualify for state.
Ehlers credited Bishop Garrigan’s ability to play loose.
Gabby Buscher led the charge for Bishop Garrigan with a second place finish, as her final tally of 83 was good for 2nd place overall. In spite of only being in her sophomore season, Buscher has some of the most experience on the team, qualifying for state individually as a freshman in 2025, and finishing the season strong with a 13th place finish in class 1A.
Buscher, who frequently found herself at or near the top of leaderboards throughout the season, was mentally ready for the increased competition at regionals.
According to Buscher, the coaches kept her updated on her teammates progress, which provided a boost during the competition.
Freshman Lucy Eisenberth finished in 11th place, recording a score of 94 for the competition. Although the first few holes didn’t go the way the Golden Bear freshman wanted, she was able to shake off the early struggles and finish strong.
Seniors Ava Snider and Addison Kuper both shot 97s to round out Bishop Garrigan’s scoring four.
Snider felt she was able to put aside the pressure and have fun at regionals.
Also competing for Bishop Garrigan were junior Graclyn Eastman, who finished with a 105, and senior Hailee Reutzel, who tallied a 116.
Once the golfing wrapped up for the day and the scorecards were turned in, Buscher was optimistic of Bishop Garrigan’s chances after hearing about her teammates’ scores.
When Bishop Garrigan was officially announced as a state qualifier, Eisenbarth called it a “surreal experience.”
Class 1A state golf is taking place on Thursday, May 28th and Friday, May 29th at the Cedar Point Golf Course in Boone. Ehlers says the team has focused on fine-tuning during practices leading up to the state meet.
Buscher credited the coach staff for managing the team’s workload heading into state.
According to Ehlers, the Cedar Point Golf Course will present its own set of unique challenges, with a front nine that has some some similarities to Bishop Garrigan’s home course at Spring Valley, and a back nine that is much more wide open.
With Buscher being the only Bishop Garrigan golfer with previous state tournament experience, Ehlers says Buscher has conveyed to her teammates to continue to play relaxed, just as the Golden Bears did at regionals.
Although the freshman Eisenbarth will be competing in her first state tournament, her older sister Ava Eisenbarth was on the Bishop Garrigan golf team during their 2019-2022 state title streak, with the elder Eisenbarth placing 6th in class 1A during her senior campaign.
Lucy Eisenbarth feels that her older sister has been a valuable source of advice throughout the season.
Buscher feels the biggest factor at state will be nailing the wedges and putting.
Snider is taking the mindset of not letting one shot impact the rest of the competition into the state meet.
Ehlers emphasized “playing free” for the golfers at the state meet.
The state tournament beings on Thursday, May 28th with a 9am shotgun start. Tee times will be utilized on day two starting at 8:30am.
