‘That was the best they’ve done all season,? said Coach Megan Daly of her golf team.
Lady Dragons took fourth of the 12 teams with 412 points at a tournament in Twin Lake last month in a season finale.
Maddy McClean hit a 93, Stacey Lecnzar had 99, Alyssa Mason hit 102 and Rielly Dunn had 116. Par for the course was 72.
‘I was pleased with how they played,? said Daly. ‘It was a tough course and the weather was chilly and breezy. I felt they did well, especially for their biggest tournament of the year.?
At the beginning of the season, Daly said the year would be a developing one, with so many young or new-to-varsity players. Now that the season is over, she reflected, ‘every one of them improved both golf-wise and mentally.?
‘They’re young,? she added. ‘Alyssa (Mason) was the only senior and the rest were sophomores; they’re still physically growing and developing their games, as well.?
The transition from junior varsity to varsity golf is a tough one, according to Daly, as courses are longer and the competition is ‘completely different.?
Looking ahead to next year, the coach is asking for fulltime commitment from her players. She says athletes now tend to focus on one sport and train year-round for it, and the Lady Dragons need to follow suit.
‘They’re going to have to play summer tournaments, they’re going to have to work on their games, they’re going to need to go to the gym and work out ? that’s what the competition is demanding now. If they want to compete with the girls who are top in the state, that’s what they’re going to have to do. If they want to, they can. They have the ability.?
In the end, Daly says she’s simply pleased.
‘I work with a great group of kids,? she said. ‘I still feel like I’ve been very blessed with my teaching job and coaching job.?