The Plymouth girls golf team made an early morning trek to Kokomo and Chippendale Golf Club on Saturday to compete in the Western Invitational. The girls had a great day alongside our stiffest competition of the season.
Senior Olivia Horvath continued her fine play. Today Olivia tied her career-best round with a 95. She led the team with six fairways off the tee today. The highlight of her round was a big birdie on her second to last hole of the day. After missing the fairway by inches her approach shot fed towards the hole setting up a downhill right to left 12 footer that found the cup on the next shot.
Freshman Hannah LaFree continues to take steps forward! Today Hannah turned in her best putting performance with 18 putts each nine. Most impressive was her ability to limit three-putts today; best on the team with only two. Hannah’s 96 beat her previous mark by nine shots! Hannah continues to gain confidence and moxie.
Junior Annastasia Hutchings got off to an incredible start setting the tone early. Back to back bombs of over 12 feet fell for birdies on each of her first two holes of the day! After a dropped shot on her third hole a bounce back smooth par followed. Anna led the team today in two key statistical categories – greens in regulation 6 and 35 putts. Anna’s tempo and ball-striking were the sharpest of the season to date. She carded three greens each nine and was close on a couple of others. Anna’s ability to limit her three-putts, only 3 today, was a secret to her success. The volume of golf Anna has played leading up to the season really shined through today, very soon she will have a career-round.
Sophomores Elaina McDonald 103, Emma Rozycki 105, and Claire McDonald 105 rounded out our scoring today. Claire filled an open spot in the field today at the last second. I was proud of her ability to get ready mentally and play near her career-best. Claire’s round featured a pair of solid pars. Elaina carded a birdie today on #10. A great approach shot left her inside 10 feet and a good sped putt fell. Emma had an up and down round today however I was proud of her grit and finish today. A highlight of Emma’s round was a solid par on the par 5 sixth hole.
As a group, our putting has improved as has our course management. The girls are learning where to miss, where to be aggressive, and how to limit silly mistakes. We always need to continue to improve on the greens however better execution, better shot-making, and better wedge play are areas we need to continue to grow.
I was really proud and excited to see the girls perform today. Leaving prior to 6am meant an alarm clock that was WAY earlier than they are used to. Mentally we were ready to go! As a group, our kids are gaining confidence, valuable experience, and most of all some stamina and toughness.
The full team is back in action Monday at 4:30pm at Pretty Lake for a four-way match with Tippy Valley, Bremen, and Laville.
