The Minnewaska girls golf team is one of the best programs in the state year after year, and Greta Reichmann and Jacqueline Gossen were excited to be the latest seniors to lead this Lakers program.

Minnewaska was coming off a 2019 season where it finished second in the Class AA state tournament with a two-day team score of 664. Gossen, a student at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa who added more talent to the roster when the Jaguars joined the Lakers in girls golf last spring, finished tied for 10th individually with a 161. Reichmann was also on the second-place team after she carded a two-day 183 to finish tied for 41st individually.

Both of the Minnewaska seniors were disappointed to not get the chance to try to secure the Lakers’ 14th state appearance this spring after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the season. The Echo Press reached out to both Riechmann and Gossen to get their thoughts centered around four questions: Why do they golf? What do they miss most about it? What is a favorite memory from playing over the years? And what are their future plans?

Greta Reichmann

Why she golfs: There are many reasons as to why I play golf. I was always a softball player, but because it got too hard on my knees, golf seemed like the better option. My grandpa, who doesn’t golf, also told me that if I didn’t learn how to golf, I would never have friends when I got older, so I guess both problems found their solution!

What she misses most: What I miss most about golf this year was being with my teammates. This year would have had a totally new atmosphere to it, so I’m disappointed I never got to experience that team.

Favorite memory: A favorite memory of mine is probably from my first year in golf. It was in Benson and I had my coach, Tony Janu, with me. I pulled my shot to the left and hit the cart shop, so my ball ended up under a tree. My next shot then went into a mower bag and I had never seen my coach laugh so hard.

Future plans: My future plans include attending Concordia College in Moorhead to play tennis. As of right now, my future golf plans will be casual, but we never know!

Jacqueline Gossen

Why she plays: I started playing golf for multiple reasons. First, it was something that both of my grandpas loved to play, along with my dad. Along with that, I always looked up to my older sister, Jaden, and this is something she played during high school. Lastly, I have lived on the Brooten Golf Course since moving there in 2006 and grew up playing the sport.

What she misses most: The things that I think I will miss the most about my golf season this spring was being with my teammates and coaches that I was so lucky to meet last year. Along with that, I will miss the chance of playing so many great courses, the crazy van rides, and the opportunity to help my younger sister, Jenna, like Jaden did for me as she enters into high school golf for the first time.

Favorite memory: My favorite memory was placing second as a team at the Class AA state tournament last year, and earning a 73 during my first day competing at the state tournament in Jordan.

Future plans: My future plans are to attend Southwest Minnesota State University (in Marshall) to major in accounting and play on their golf team.