Girls golf team swings into spring season

Maria+Vincent%2C+Paige+ONeal%2C+Sam+Kane%2C+Savannah+Vincent%2C+Caroline+Monty%2C+Catherine+Monty+and+Caitlyn+Garrity+smile+in+front+of+Ridgeview+Country+Club+sign+last+season.+These+golfers+led+the+team+to+state+last+season+and+the+girls+coming+back+for+the+2020+season+are+hoping+to+repeat+the+past.+

Photo submitted by Catherine Monty

Maria Vincent, Paige O’Neal, Sam Kane, Savannah Vincent, Caroline Monty, Catherine Monty and Caitlyn Garrity smile in front of Ridgeview Country Club sign last season. These golfers led the team to state last season and the girls coming back for the 2020 season are hoping to repeat the past.

Ella Nelson, Copy Editor

As the season grows near, the girls golf team is excited to return to the green. The girls golf team has their first practice March 16 at Oak Glen Country Club led by head coach Peter Deeg. Expectations for the team are high this year as last season the varsity team made it to state, and junior varsity finished undefeated.

“I’m really excited to play on different courses. Every single year you play against different teams, and I’ve also created some friendships with girls on the other teams, so I’m really excited to see them again and just have a good season,” junior Brynn Wurgler said.

I’m really excited to play on different courses. Every single year you play against different teams, and I’ve also created some friendships with girls on the other teams, so I’m really excited to see them again and just have a good season,

— Brynn Wurgler

The season may begin in March, but the girls on the team begin preparing far before. Therefore, many girls choose to have a private coach, hoping to improve their game before the season begins. Most girls prepare at indoor golf domes and golf simulators nearby. However, currently, golf courses are thinking about opening early due to the recent rise in temperatures.

“I like to start practicing early, so I usually go to driving ranges and indoor putting greens with my friends,” junior Maleah Mckinley said.

The team will not only be led by Deeg and the assistant coaches but the three new team captains as well: seniors Catherine Monty, Paige O’Neal and Jenna Yingling. These three players are truly supported by their teammates and friends, hoping they can lead them to the state tournament at the end of the season. However, being senior captains comes with the pressure of making their last year their best.

For her senior season, captain Yingling explains her goals are to play to the best of her ability and to have a fun last season.

This season, the team hopes to repeat state participation. To ensure a state appearance, the team must win their section games. Having had an extremely successful previous season, the girls and coaches have high hopes and expectations for this season.

Mckinley explained the coaches expect the players to “maintain a positive attitude throughout practices and matches… and to be very supportive of our teammates.”

With the favorable weather, strong drive and new leadership, the girls golf team is expected to succeed this upcoming season.

“I’m looking forward to playing golf every day with my friends. It’s so fun at practice when we just get to go out and play… also it’s always so fun to just watch your friends play,” Yingling explained.

*UPDATED:  The season was to start on March 16, but due to COVID-19 the team’s season has not yet started.