SCARBOROUGH — It was the girls’ time to shine on Monday, as the region’s best high school girls golfers tackled Willowdale Golf Course in Scarborough, and the task of qualifying for the girls individual state championship.

Willowdale was the host for a joint qualifier for both the Southwestern Maine Activities Association and the Western Maine Conference, with seven local players among the 26 hopeful qualifiers in attendance.

All seven girls qualified, including five representatives from Thornton Academy. The local players ranged from the low medalist at the qualifier ”“ Thornton’s Hashilla Rivai ”“ and the final player to make the cut at 110 over 18 holes, Biddeford’s Jillian Chantigny.

Also qualifying for the state championship on Monday were Thornton’s Riley Donovan (87), Lauren Wells (90), Jordan LaPlume (90) and Louisa Colucci (97), and Kennebunk’s Jenna Kuun (104).

“As far as the scoring for all of the girls, this is some of the best I’ve seen as a full group across the board, so it’s nice to see,” said Thornton head coach Jeff Camire.

The day started off with ideal golf weather ”“ seasonably warm and slightly overcast ”“ but soon turned undesirable, as wind gusts wreaked havoc on the girls’ efforts.

“I think it was a big factor. I think the coaches were a little colder than the players. It was blowing all over the place today,” said Camire. “I think it definitely added probably a handful of shots to some of the girls’ scores, but for the most part, I thought the scoring was very good today despite that.”

Judging by Rivai’s score ”“ 77, five shots better than the next golfer ”“ the weather didn’t seem to do much harm to her round, but the Indonesia native, who said she isn’t used to that much wind while playing, was still hoping for a better result.

“Honestly, I could have done much better than what I’ve done today, but I’m really grateful of what I have,” said Rivai. “The course itself is not that difficult, but then with the weather ”“ it was really windy. Approach shots, which is usually my strength, was kind of weak. I tried to get it on the green, but the wind was pulling it back.”

Camire said he believed his five qualifiers was a first for the program, and in general, the 22 total qualifiers bode well for the future of the sport in the state.

“I think it’s awesome; it’s great for the sport. It seems like every year we’re getting girls that are playing that are just better. Just watching the swings and the way they hit the ball is getting better and better each year,” said Camire. “It’s exciting. I think it’s great for the sport for more girls to be out here.”

Thornton’s Wells is making a return trip to the state championship, after finishing 12th last year. Three of the players are freshmen: Chantigny, LaPlume and Colucci.

The players have just under three weeks before they travel to Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro for the state championships on Oct. 18.

— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.