By RICHIE HALL
The start of the Indiana high school girls golf season is one day away, with several teams jumping right into action on Monday.
Westfield is one of those teams starting its season Monday with a trip to the Bloomington South Invitational. Guerin Catholic will also begin its campaign that day, taking what will be a young squad to the Cathedral Irish Invitational. Young players will also factor into Noblesville’s season, which starts Thursday at Harbour Trees for the Hamilton County meet.
FAMILIAR FACES
Westfield has developed an exceptional tradition over the past few years in girls golf. Based on who the Shamrocks have returning, this season will add another chapter to that tradition.
Coach Trevor Neu said that this year’s Westfield team “will be a bunch of familiar faces as we basically return everyone from last year’s team,” a team that set a new record in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet, won a regional championship and placed fifth at the state meet.
Sophomore Sam Brown will be at the top for the Shamrocks. She tied for seventh place at last year’s state meet as a freshman, earning All-State honors.
“She has a great mindset each time she goes out and lets the game come to her,” said Neu.
After that are three seniors: Sophie McGinnis (also an All-State player last year), Allie Hildebrand and Brette Hanavan.
“Sophie McGinnis looks to have another great season for us,” said Neu. The coach said that McGinnis led Westfield in several invitationals last season, and he expects that to continue this season.
“She provides great leadership to our younger players and that is so important for our program,” said Neu.
“Brette Hanavan has had a fantastic summer and has always been a solid part of our top five,” said Neu. “She is our glue kid that brings great energy every day and is always going to put up a strong score for our team. Allie Hildebrand is another senior that has played varsity now for three years and brings a ton of experience and consistency. She might be our best player when it comes to managing the golf course and understanding when to push things and when to not.”
Three more players will compete for the fifth spot: Senior Mallory Mortl and junior Allie McKeown, both of whom played some varsity last year, and freshman Addi Kooi, who Neu said is “very promising” and is coming off a good summer.
“All three have the ability to post some low scores for us,” said Neu.
“This group of girls has worked really hard for this season and we think that they have the ability to do some great things,” said Neu. “The way we finished at State last year has made the girls hungry for this season and they have all been working hard since November for this season. I think we have one of the deepest teams I have ever coached and one of the closest groups that truly care for each other and I think that will takes us a long way this year.”
LARGEST SQUAD IN SEVERAL YEARS
When Guerin Catholic heads to Maple Creek on Monday, the Golden Eagles will be bringing a nice-size group of golfers.
“I’m excited for my senior players and this season looks bright for our entire team, said GC coach Mark Mathews. “This is the largest girls golf squad we have had in several years with a large group of promising freshmen.”
The Golden Eagles’ returning players include three seniors. Christina Pfefferkorn, a state qualifier and All-State player last season, is a senior and will be GC’s leader. Mathews said Pfefferkorn “had a very successful tournament summer tournament schedule.”
Also returning are seniors Audrey Kunce and Jenny Zerla, and junior Isabella Pinion. The upperclassmen list also includes seniors Payton Smoot and Mia Thompson, and junior Maris Bulger. Addison Rogers will be a sophomore on Guerin Catholic’s team.
The Golden Eagles also have six freshmen on the list.
“Grace Cates, Sarah Riggs, Avery Wall, Grayson Navarro, Mallory Knott and Sarah Supernaw are an exciting group of freshmen players and I look forward to watching them develop their golfing skills this year,” said Matthews.
After playing at Maple Creek, the Golden Eagles host their own invitational Wednesday at Pebble Brook, then head to Prairie View on Saturday for the State Preview meet.
MILLERS HOST COUNTY MEET
Noblesville isn’t wasting any time getting right to the big events, and the county meet at Harbour Trees will certainly be a big event for the host Millers.
While Noblesville graduated four seniors from last year’s team, it will have some experience coming back for this season. Leading the way will be junior Caroline Whallon, who finished tied for 11th at last year’s state meet.
Two other state competitors returning are senior Sophi Stutz and sophomore Jordan Adams; both golfers played one round at state last year. Senior Erin Burt is another of the Millers’ returning varsity players.
A host of other Noblesville golfers will be competing for varsity time as well. Senior Bergan Zebrauskas, juniors Emma Leming and Mia Price, and sophomore Audrey Ratcliffe all have tournament experience, having played in a couple of events last season. Also in the mix will be sophomore DJ Flatter and freshmen Olivia Anderson and Karis Shields.
“Our team will look a lot different this year having lost four significant contributors from last year, but all of the kids have been working extremely hard and I anticipate that we will reload and be able to compete at a high level again this season,” said Millers coach Justin Werkley. “Whallon, Adam, Stutz and Burt have a lot of experience and have been playing great golf as of late. I am excited about the potential for our team this season.”
Be sure to read The Reporter next week for more previews and results from the first meets of the season.