Experience helps Lady Leafs capture first 2010 win
Another golf season has begun and for head coach Judi Nash it will be bittersweet because she is retiring after 18 years.
“The first day was the first day,” said Nash. “I have three new players out of 10, but I saw some reasons to be optimistic. The girls hit some good shots and some bad.”
This year’s team is a mix of experience and inexperience.
The team of 10 includes seniors Karah Bishop and Kelsey Wirth and first year golfer Kaylee Krapfl; juniors McKenzie Carey, Allison?Farrell, Emilee Green,?Alex Radue and Rebecca Wheeler; sophomore Abby Johnson and freshman Ashley Farrell.
“Some of the girls have been playing this summer and working on their game and their scores have improved from last year,” said Nash. “I see some promising things and improvement from last year.”
In her final year, Nash said she would like the team to win conference, but she doesn’t know what teams in the new conference have girls’ golf teams. She would also like to see the girls improve every day and develop the mental toughness that is needed in the game of golf.
“If the girls step up, it is reasonable to think we could qualify out of regionals as a team,” she said. “I would also like to get Allison down to state.”
From her three seniors, Nash hopes they take control and lead the team.
“I hope they have a real good year and go out with a bang,” she said.
A big strength for the Lady Leafs this season will be their experience, while it is too early to tell what weaknesses the team may be faced to overcome.
“Most of the team is older, so they have more experience,” said Nash. “They also have competitive experience.
“I hope we have a chance to win conference and qualify as a team out of regionals. I hope to have a great year, have fun and do well. When the season is over I hope they have learned some things that they can use the rest of their lives and enjoy the game of golf.”
Last year, Geneseo captured the NCIC title and took seventh at regionals. Allison Farrell took fourth at regionals and scored an 87 at the sectional meet.
Geneseo vs. Rock?Falls
The Lady Leafs opened the 2010 season with success as the girls defeated visiting Rock Falls, 198-265 Aug. 17.
“Considering the conditions I thought the girls played pretty well,” said Nash. “Our first match out and to break 200 I thought we did well.”
Allison Farrell led the team with a 45 and earned medalist honors.
Wirth followed in second place for Geneseo, carding a 50, while Green shot a 51 and Bishop a 52 to round out the top 4.
Carey finished the match with a 58 and Radue shot a 59.
“We just need to work on the` pace of our play and keep things going,” said Nash. “We need to fine tune things and work on getting our scores down.”
In junior varsity action, Ashley Farrell was the leading scorer with a 55, followed by Johnson, 60, Krapfl, 59; and Wheeler, 84.
“I am happy with our first match,” said Nash. “There are always those first time jitters, not knowing what to expect, but they played really well and I was pretty happy.”
The Lady Leafs (1-0 overall) will be in action this weekend in the Rock Falls Invite at noon Aug. 21.