So far, Mother Nature toughest opponent for girls golf
"It's been absolutely amazing what the pros and others are doing to help make this all work for us," Pleasant Grove coach Kori Thomas said. "Everyone is bending over backwards with rules clinics, instruction and equipment — anything we need."
So far, with weather canceling a total of three matches, Region 4 has yet to play a match and Region 7 has only played one match — a 9-hole event on April 2 at Overlake in Tooele.
"Honestly, weather has been our biggest challenge," Thomas said.
The Region 7 match gave some indication of which teams and which players in that league are the best. Tooele won the match by 14 shots over Orem and the Buffaloes' Sadie Palmer was medalist with a stellar 36, which beat the Tigers' Clarissa Reid by five shots.
For the most part, however, there was a lot of parity in Match 1. It looks like Tooele, Orem, Provo and Timpview are all capable of winning the first-ever Region 7 girls golf championship. Palmer and Reid will likely stay in a dual for the medalist crown, but Timpview's Katrina Melentieva, Katy Rae and Elizabeth Harrison; Tooele's Jacque Trujillo; Orem's Amy Stewart and Amber Stratton; Provo's Tess Heaton and Katie Liston; and Springville's Anna Harward should also turn in some solid rounds.
"I think all the teams are pretty close, but I think every team is going to get a lot better with every match," Orem coach Greg Sheide said.
Having not played a match yet, Region 4 coaches are not sure what to expect from their league. However, from the way coaches are talking about their players most feel Spanish Fork, Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove are the teams to beat. Lehi could be a surprise, while Timpanogos will likely struggle. American Fork is not fielding a team.
"I think the first three or four seeds from most of the teams will be very competitive," Thomas said.
Depth will be the key. Lone Peak has several good players led by Kandis King, Haddy Jarvis, Laura Woolsey and Erica Jensen. Spanish Fork is traditionally a strong golf school, and the Dons have some top players in Karlie Apalnalp, McKell Miner, Kelsey Briggs, McKenna Oss and Courtney Sanders.
Pleasant Grove's top player is Shay Young. Behind her the Vikings will lean on Cierra Wright and Nikelle Bezzant. Lehi coach Mike O'Connor said senior Kami Hunt is improving greatly in practice and should challenge for region medalist. Others who should help the Pioneers are Chelsea Montgomery, Emily Maher and Ashleigh O'Connor.
Recent comments
So, what about region 9?
Not Region 9 | May 21, 2008 at 3:41 p.m.
What about region 9?
Region 9 | April 17, 2008 at 8:23 a.m.
