Mount Ayr’s standout golfer, Payton Shaffer, is just two strokes behind the leader after the first round of the Iowa Girls State Golf Tournament.
The Class 1A tournament began Wednesday, May 29, and Shaffer finished her round with a solid score of 78. She currently holds second place, right behind the leader, Mikayla Curtis of Earlham, who shot a 76.
The event is being held at Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone, where Curtis and Shaffer battled tough conditions to rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Shaffer’s consistent game throughout the day kept her in strong contention. With 18 more holes to go in the final round, she’s in a good position to make a run for the championship.
Shaffer’s round included a steady performance on both the front and back nine. Her ability to stay calm under pressure helped her maintain her score while other golfers struggled with wind and rough patches on the course.
Also competing from the local area was Emersen Ehlen of Sidney, who shot an 89 and is tied for 10th place. The 1A field remains competitive with several golfers still within reach of the lead, setting up a dramatic final day of play.
The tournament concludes Thursday, and all eyes will be on whether Shaffer can close the gap and claim the state title. A strong finish could put her name in the books as one of Mount Ayr’s top golf athletes.