Girls golf team swings into season

The girls golf team returns only two players to their varsity squad but believes they will be competitive and look forward to a successful season ahead.

Seniors Shelby Ross and Emily Rawls return to the team with varsity experience under their belts. Ross is a three-year varsity player and has played in three state tournaments.

"Shelby returns with the most varsity experience on the team," said Coach Mary Flande. "Shelby worked hard during the off season. Her senior leadership will be very important this season as we have several young golfers on the team."

Rawls brings one year of varsity experience to the team as well as district tournament experience.

"Emily has spent many hours during the off season improving her game," stated Flande. "She has taken several lessons and I think she is going to just take off this year and have a super season. Along with Shelby, Emily will also provide that very valuable senior leadership for the team."

New to the varsity team are Stephanie Cole, Paige Stevens, Trish Erickson, Chelsey Davidson and Hannah Harrer.

Cole played on the junior varsity (JV) team the past two years and will join the varsity squad this season.

"The biggest obstacle Stephanie will have this year is just getting used to playing 18 holes instead of nine," said Flande. "I believe she can meet this challenge and continue to improve her game."

Stevens and Erickson also played on the JV team the past two years and have seen improvement in their games. These girls will compete for a varsity spot this season and, according to Flande, their biggest hurdle is their lack of varsity experience. Flande told The Nugget she feels both Stevens and Erickson are up to the challenge and will work hard.

Freshmen Davidson and Harrer are both first-year golfers. Harrer played some Central Oregon Junior Golf Association matches during the summer, which Flande said should provide her with a little head start.

"I look for these girls to work together as a team and get better as the season goes on," Flande said "We are lacking varsity experience in the three to five positions but I think the seniors will be able to provide the leadership to bring this team together and we will compete well in May."