By NICK McQUEEN

nmcqueen@dailynews.net

As to be expected, the Thomas More Prep-Marian girls' golf team has experience a few growing pains through the course of its comeback season.

The four Monarch girls who restarted the program after a one-year hiatus, had never played golf, let alone, golfed competitively. In Monday's Mid-State Activities Association Championship at Smoky Hill Country Club, the Monarchs experience another first -- braving less-than-desirable elements in October golf.

The results showed, as the four MSAA teams played well into the evening hours in along, soggy day to finish the 18-hole round.

"It was a rainy, soggy, messy day,"  said first-year Monarch coach Kellie Lee (formerly Mitchell), a former Monarch golfer. "We had a couple break downs, but I am glad they were able to get through it."

The Monarch four, finished last in the team standings with a 618, while Larned won the MSAA Championship, finishing with a 406. Ulysses was second at 447 and Pratt third at 432.

While the final tally didn't show a significant improvement from the beginning of the season, the Monarchs did see a first for one of its rookie golfers. Freshman Candace Staab broke the 60-stroke mark on nine holes, the only Monarch golfer to do so this season. She shot a 59 on the back nine to lead the way for TMP-Marian, and finished with a team-best 129. Right behind her, freshman Samantha Wilson finished with a 141. Sophomore Elizabeth Rupp finished at 170, while freshman Brianna Hazelhorst finished with a 178 to cap the long day.

"They've never encountered anything like this,"  Lee said. "It was a real test for them, and great to see them get through it."

The Monarchs will compete Monday in regional competition.