Rachael Danielson graduated from Greene County High School last year as the most decorated golfer the Rams have had. A three-time State high school tournament qualifier, she’s now a freshman on the women’s golf team at Central College in Pella.

Danielson talked with Raccoon Valley Radio about being a collegiate golfer when she was home last week on Spring break, including making the top five on what was already a very good NCAA DIII program. “I knew I was definitely going to have to work for my spot, and during qualifying it was a little nerve racking, to be honest. I didn’t know the other freshmen and how good they were, or how much the returning players were going to drop their scores. So, it was a little nerve wracking, but then I realized I would be a part of the top five, and even in the top four as a freshman, having my score count in every tournament last Fall, it really meant a lot to me to be able to contribute to the team in that way.”

The Dutch won a one-hole playoff last fall for the American Rivers Conference team title, which qualified them for the NCAA DIII National Tournament in May in Houston, TX. To prepare them for the upcoming season and to escape some of Iowa’s weather, the Central team spent several days earlier this month in San Diego, and even played the legendary Torrey Pines Course, which Danielson described as “awesome!”