GRAND JUNCTION – The hardest thing about high school golf appears to be the first tournament of the season.

The Rifle High girls golf team will agree after Tuesday’s initial effort at the Tiger Invitational at Bookcliff County Club in Grand Junction.

The Bears spent most of the day getting the kinks out of their game in preparation for tournaments later on in the year.

In its first tour event, Rifle shot a combined 338 and finished 10th among 12 teams.

Eagle Valley won the team championship, besting host Grand Junction by 10 strokes. The Devils carded a score of 265, compared to the Tigers’ 275. Durango was third. Fruita Monument took fourth place.

“We need a lot of work, but we’ll come along quickly from what I saw today,” said Bear coach Steve LaDonne.

LaDonne said he sees good things and lower scores ahead for the team when the tour heats up after spring break.

Individually, Jenny Hughes carded the lowest score for the Bears on Tuesday.

The junior, playing in the No. 1 spot for the first time, finished the course with a 106. The mark earned Hughes 25th place among 60 participants.

Fruita Monument senior Jessica McKay won her second tournament in as many days with a score of 79. Charly Hoehn of Eagle Valley was second, with Grand Junction’s Audrey Butler in third place.

Skylar Bell tied for 33rd overall with Palisade’s Suzie Edwards at 114. Caitlin Wagner’s 118 score tied her for 39th place.

Erika Graham and Stacie Kagie scored 126 and 128 to place them 48th and 50th place, respectively.

Rifle concludes its pre-spring break schedule with a scrimmage against Glenwood Springs on March 18 at Rifle Creek Golf Course. The Bears return to competitive action at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Grand Junction on March 31 for the Palisade Invitational.