Mother nature was the true winner at Missouri’s District 2 girls golf tournament that wrapped up at Eagle Knoll Golf Club in Hartsburg. Strong gusts of wind sent well calculated shots careening off course and dramatically slowed the pace of play. Only one golfer in the field of 52 managed to approach par, but even overall winner Audrey Rischer of Father Tolton finished with a 2-over 74.

Despite weather conditions and a difficult field, Mexico senior Lilly Knipfel earned seventh spot. Her round of 92 was also good enough to qualify for the state tournament -- her fourth trip to the big event.

Knipfel also picked up All-District honors for the fourth year.

Three Bulldogs qualified for district play. They started on the back nine, considered the most difficult side of the course. With strong gusts wreaking havoc on the field, the trio were often delayed as the pace of play slowed to a crawl. It picked up after they made the turn, but Mexico’s golfers were already carding well above their norm.

“We had played some practice rounds on Eagle Knoll so we all at least knew what the holes looked like -- the girls were as mentally prepared as possible,” coach Lindsey Yancey said. “Even in the toughest of situations they refused to give in.”

The Bulldogs’ Kennedi Rowe battled the wind for at 114, just missing out on an invitation to state. She ended up 22nd on the leaderboard.

“She has shown so much improvement and I will not be surprised if she qualifies in the next two seasons,” Mexico coach Lindsey Yancey said of Rowe. “She is driven and works hard.”

The other Mexico golfer to qualify for districts was Morgan Craig, who settled in at 44th with a 150.

At the top of the leaderboard were Rischer, followed by Kassidy Hull of Eldon, six strokes back of the leader and eight above par, and Jayden Berrey, Rischer’s Father Tolton teammate, who ended up with a 13-over 85.

“I am so proud of how my three golfers represented Mexico,” Yancey said. “Each of these girls kept focusing on improvement.”

On Monday Knipfel heads to Meadowlake Acres in New Bloomfield to take on the best in Class 2 from around the state.

“I am excited to get to watch her finish out her four years as a Bulldog,” Yancey added. “I think she will do very well on that course.”