Posted: 4/13/05
Girls golf has the numbers, but is slim on talent
|
|
 |
Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
The Forest Lake High School girls golf season ended on the first day of the section tournament last year when none of the Rangers golfers qualified for the second day. With two of the top four golfers back from last yearís team head coach Bill Loushine is hoping the girls can play strong and continue to improve.
Rachel Martin is the only senior the Rangers lost from last season. Returning for the Rangers is senior captain Sara Berger and junior Ashley Weeda.
ìSara is playing well right now and I expect big things from her,î Loushine said.
Sophomore golfer Nicole Tetrault has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers as Loushine says sheís starting to show improvement and is new to the team this year.
The Rangers ìbright lightî though has to be seventh grader Betsy Kelly.
ìBetsy has a lot of Junior PGA and junior tournament experience under her belt and is playing extremely well,î Loushine said. ìI expect that sheíll be starting on the varsity team.î
Outside of the top four, Loushine is not too sure who will step up and get some playing time.
ìWeíre very young and have a lot of seventh through ninth graders who are not seasoned or great golfers that have a lot to learn about the game,î Loushine said. ìWe have our group of varsity golfers, then the rest weíre calling our developmental team.î
Loushine hopes to work with the younger golfers and refine their swings, improve their short games, and get them to concentrate on the mental aspect of the game.
ìTheir competitive golf is in their future,î Loushine said. ìWe want to keep them excited about the game of golf and not discourage them by putting them up against varsity golfers.î
While the Rangers have a schedule, Loushine is almost certain it will change as several golf courses in the Metro area experienced winter kill and will be working to repair that, causing some tournaments to be rescheduled or moved to different courses.
The Rangers next event is Monday at Midland Hills against Roseville at 2:45 p.m. The Rangers host the Forest Lake Invitational May 2 at Tannerís Brook Golf Course at 11 a.m.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605