GRAND JUNCTION – Kammi Ivie knows the importance of practice, but prefers the challenge of playing on a golf course instead.

“It’s actually easier being on a golf course, because when you’re hitting on a carpet or at a golf range it’s not the same,” said the Glenwood Springs High School sophomore.

Ivie proved her point by carding a team-best 110 at Monday’s Central Invitational at Tiara Rado Golf Course.

At first, Ivie admitted disappointment in her final score. But, after thinking it over, she said, it was a good outing.

“My goal was to break 100 – I didn’t do that. I felt good because I got 110. That wasn’t bad,” Ivie said.

Ivie’s 23rd-place score was in line with the majority of golfers from 11 Western Slope schools who participated on Monday. With the exception of the Grand Junction area teams, it was the first time for many of the girls golf teams to play outdoors rather than hitting in gyms or at driving ranges.

Of the 54 players that participated in the first tournament of the 2003 season, only nine finished beneath the 100-shot barrier.

Fruita Monument’s Jessica McKay had the 18-hole tournament’s best round with a 81. Audrey Butler of Grand Junction High School was second at 90, followed by teammate Sarah Shean’s 94.

Glenwood’s other varsity golfers, Mai Le Keller, Michelle Whiddon and Becky Brown, finished with scores of 121, 127 and 156, respectively.

As a team, the Demons shot a combined 358, good four ninth overall and fifth among 4A schools. Class 5A Grand Junction shot the low team score with 282. The Tigers were the only team to shoot lower than 300 in the tournament.

Instead of playing in today’s tournament at Bookcliff Country Club, Glenwood has opted to take some time away from the tour.

The Demons will scrimmage Rifle at Rifle Creek Golf Course on March 18, then resume tournament play after spring break at the Palisade Invitational on March 31 at Grand Junction’s Lincoln Park.

Rifle is scheduled to open its season today at Bookcliff.