Though it might not happen often, many sports experience a year where most of its program is made up of seniors. This is exactly what is happening to the girl’s golf program in their 2018 fall season.
“It’s a challenge because we don’t have the numbers we would like,” JV golf coach Travis Nichol said. “So what’s going to have to happen is we’re going to have to have some of our younger girls step into a varsity role earlier than what they would have in a normal situation.”
Seniors make up nearly half of the program this year and almost all of the varsity team. With both of the teams combined, there are 15 girls, 7 of which are seniors. The lower the grade, the fewer golfers there are, with only four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.
“We knew [this year] was coming so something we’re really going to try to do is promote golf at the middle school and the younger programs,” Nichol said.
However, grade doesn’t affect how the girls treat each other. In fact, the only junior on the varsity team, Lauren Rayborn, said that “everyone on [the] team is equal.”
While the golf girls are very close, freshman Biancah Dells wants everyone to know that golf isn’t exclusive. The team encourages everyone with an interest to join.
“Even if you’ve never played before, you should still try out because it’s a sport that you can play for your whole life,” Rayborn said.
With such a small program, numbers are everything. Skill can be developed later.
“It’s honestly all or nothing. If we don’t have enough girls we can’t go on with the program, but I do have hope in it,” Rayborn said.
