(by Don Meador, Sports Information Director, July 27,2020)
Allen County-Scottsville High School Lady Patriot golf will, once again, be able to field an official “team” this season. Four players are needed for team competitions and this year, coach Amy Williams will have four young ladies ready to compete---a group that’s led by a pair of experienced juniors in Aly Miller and Emma Cline.
“Aly has been a part of the team since she was in fifth grade,” coach Williams explained. “She has been playing competitively since the sixth grade. Each year Aly has improved many parts of her game. I think the best part of her game right now is her short game. She is chipping and putting better, and this will help save strokes in the long run.”
Like Miller, Cline also has a
ton of experience.
“Emma started her sixth grade year as well,” Williams noted. “Emma is athletic and is a varsity cheerleader too. Her strength is her natural ability to swing the golf club. She will hopefully cut strokes this year on her short game with fewer putts and chips.”
The experience of both is why
Williams believes AC-S will see lower scores from the juniors.
“I am expecting both Aly and Emma to improve their scores and hopefully get within a shot of placing in some of the tournaments we are competing in,” Williams added. “They both have the ability to compete they just need to work a little harder on their game and on their mental strength. I am very proud of both of these girls and on how hard they work on and off the course.”
Seventh graders Ella Anderson
and Allison Ford join the program this season at the varsity level. Both have
the potential to become solid players for years to come.
“Ella has a natural swing and Allison is a natural athlete as well,” Williams explained. “Ella's strength is her short game. Allison's strength is her positive attitude and willingness to get better. Both girls are working on improving their game and getting smarter with their choices of club selection. My goal for these two this year is to improve their scores in each tournament and drop the number of putts per round. Both of them have competed in the Junior Golf in the area and has been a great strength in their knowledge of the game and rules.”
Williams does acknowledge that
her players do have a weakness---but a weakness that can be overcame with time.
“The weakness of all the girls is their mental confidence,” Williams pointed out. “Golf is a very mental game and with more and more practice their mental toughness will get stronger and stronger. All the girls will work on their short game and lowing their score each round we play.”
The veteran coach adds that
the Lady Patriot team is poised for a different looking year---in three ways.
“This year will be different because we have two experienced players and two new ones,” Williams said. “During practices, the four of them have been getting along very well. They are very supportive of each other and are helping each other out with their golf game as well. Golf is an individual sport but it is also a team sport. When you see another one of your teammates on the course, it can help lift your spirits and get you back on track. I believe Aly and Emma will be great role models for the two younger girls with their attitudes and experiences. All of the girls are easy going and have great attitudes about their game.”
The second way that this
season will differ lies in the times and a few minor rule changes as a result
of COVID-19.
“This year will also be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Williams admitted. “Golf is one of the best sports to social distance. The girls are practicing but maintaining distance. We must check temperatures before the players get out of their car but that is again a minor hindrance. The rules of golf had already been changed some before the pandemic, but those rules have helped make the adjustment easier. For example, the flagstick has to remain in the hole at all times. The USGA had already made the change that the player could leave it in by their choice so having to leave the flagstick alone is not a huge change. I think the biggest obstacle is how exactly will each tournament be run. As of today, I am not sure how we will be playing on Saturday. For instance, will we be matched up with other teams or will we play together? This should not be a hindrance just an obstacle to cross. I know the KHSAA is meeting Tuesday and I guess we will find out more information after that.”
The third difference is that four players means that AC-S can compete in the regional tournament at season’s end as a team.
“This year will be good because we have a team again to compete,” Williams said. “I look forward to what all of these girls will bring to the golf program in the future.”
The Lady Patriots are
scheduled to tee off Saturday at the Taylor County Invitational in Campbellsville/ On Monday,
August 3, the ladies play in the Glasgow Lady Scottie Invitational at the
Glasgow Country Club