Furnish focused for final prep golf season

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Megan Furnish said her final year at Cedar Rapids Jefferson has gone quickly, but she will conclude it doing something she loves - golfing.A state tournament appearance would make an even better ending.Furnish, one of the state's top golfers, will look to earn her first state tournament appearance in her final campaign with the J-Hawks. Furnish and Jefferson open the season Thursday at Twin Pines Golf Course against Cedar Rapids Prairie and host Cedar Rapids Xavier.The all-Metro and all-state performer has only one missing piece to her puzzle of prep accomplishments."I'd love to make it to state," Furnish said. "Hopefully, third time is a charm. I've been working hard so hopefully that's something in the future that I can look forward to."Furnish has been looking forward and working toward this season from the moment her junior season ended after the regional meet. After battling a back injury late last year, Furnish competed in the qualifier on her home course. As scores came in Furnish was told she was going to advance, but one more lower score knocked her out of a qualifying spot.It was the second straight year she missed the state meet cut by one stroke. The sting inspired her to immediately start working on her game."It's motivated me more as a player to practice harder," Furnish said. "Last year, I went out the same night to practice, trying to work on what went wrong on that day."I've learned to practice more and be more focused."Jefferson Coach Dan Ray said Furnish has worked extremely hard to achieve that goal that has eluded her so far. A state title is in her sites, and not just joining the field at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny."She's real excited about this year," Ray said. "She's focused. She has some goals this year and I'm hoping she will accomplish them."Furnish dedicated herself even more in the offseason, working on her balance and core strength with trainers at Linn County Physical Therapy since November. She also fine-tuned her technique with Airport National owner and golf pro Matt Erger during the winter and preseason."They've really helped me work on my balance and core strength, getting me ready to play golf and be in the best shape," Furnish said. "Matt Erger has helped me with inside drills. We would putt sometimes during the winter months just to get back in the groove of things."Furnish, who signed with Missouri State to golf for coach Kevin Kane, benefited from competing in national tournaments last summer. Her talent was displayed, qualifying for the United States Golf Association U.S. Girls' Junior Championships at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club and Junior PGA Championship at Fort Wayne, Ind."It gave me a lot of confidence and experience," said Furnish, who won the Iowa PGA golf title. "Being able to be on the same course with some of the best in the nation it was eye-opening because I am here and able to compete with these girls."Playing on elite courses against high-caliber competitors, she gained valuable information about her approach as well. It should aid her on the courses she plays during her final prep season."I learned a lot of course management because these courses were some of the best courses I've ever played," Furnish said. "You really had to focus on your next shot and the strategy of how to play the hole."She has the ability to hit the ball long off the tee, but Ray said he thinks her short game will play a factor in elevating her above the rest of the golfers she faces this spring."It all comes down to the short game and that's something that I know she really focused in on," Ray said. "I think that's something that separated her from other kids."She has been a leader for the J-Hawks and one that Ray will hate to see go after this season. Ray praised her leadership and pleasant personality. Her work ethic and willingness to take suggestions has influenced her teammates to work harder and be more coachable. He wants to make the most out of her last season with the Jefferson program she has impacted greatly."This year we're going to take advantage of everything we can with her," Ray said. "She's a kid you'll miss. You don't replace those kinds of kids every day or every year."I've never had an athlete work any harder. She loves the game of golf."As much as she wants to reach the state meet and contend for a title, Furnish won't measure her success on that alone."As long as I improved as a player I'd be happy with that," Furnish said. "Going back and making sure I worked hard every single and made the most of my practice time and set my game for the next level."The J-Hawks are the defending CRANDIC team champions. Ray also had praise for Leah Groe and Emily Aukes for their contributions and they will be key components of the Jefferson squad again."They've done very well," Ray said. "Hopefully, they step up their game a little more this year."