Cook in rarified air with fourth state title

Erika Cook of Greybull finished her high school career in style, rolling in a 6-foot putt for birdie on Hole No. 9 at Green Hills Golf Course in Worland Saturday afternoon to secure her fourth consecutive state 3A title and become just the third girl in state history to four-peat.

Cook, who competes with the Lovell High School team, won by five strokes over her closest pursuer, Isabell Salas of Green River.   The two had been separated by just a single stroke when the day began, with Salas sitting at 77 and Cook 78.

"I had a bad day, didn't putt well and just wasn't confident," said Erika.  After the round, she worked with her dad on her putting technique before ending the day with some hot tub time to relax.  By 8:30, she was asleep. 

Like all repeat champions, Cook dug deep when it mattered most, responding with a 72 on the final day to post a 150.  She came from two back on Saturday, bogeying the opening par-3 while Salas wrote down a par.  It didn't last long, as the second hole saw a two-stroke swing with Cook posting a birdie and Salas a bogey. 

Cook was remarkably consistent at the culminating event over her four-year reign, shooting a 156 in Evanston as a freshman, a 150 in Lander as a sophomore and a 156 in Buffalo as a junior.

Erika said her fourth and final state title was the sweetest of them all.  She underwent offseason back surgery to correct injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle accident March 3, 2022, in downtown Greybull.  The surgery involved the removal of two herniations that she gritted her teeth and played through last fall.  In addition to the rehab, Erika had to relearn her golf swing.

"It's still giving me some problems, but it's way better than it used to be," she said. "Last year, I could hardly walk the course. I was in pain all the way."

Her parents, Casey and Angela Cook, followed Erika around the course. Tears of joy were shed as the golfer embraced her family members after turning in her scorecard.

"I have been to every high school tournament with her and went through the fear, stress, tears and joy for four years," said Angela. "I feel every emotion that she does, and when she made the last putt, I was so excited for her and emotional because it is coming to the end."

The next time Erika makes news, it'll be for signing a letter of intent to golf in college.  She's been recruited by schools across the country, but has already made her decision.  She intends to make it official in November.

As a team, the Lovell girls placed fifth, shooting a 578. Wheatland, with a 506, won the team title, followed by Evanston, at 539, and Riverton, at 555.