The girls golf team won their first match of the season against Freedom and Robinson high schools Monday, Aug. 20, at the Buckhorn Springs golf course.  

“I was very happy that we won the first match of the season,” senior co-captain Madi Garret said. “I feel like it set the standard for the rest of the season and helped to build and strengthen the confidence of our team.” 

Garret shot a 39, sophomore Leila Ossi shot a 46 and senior co-captain Amanda Philips shot a 53.  Sophomore Annika Johnson, freshman Samantha Stites and freshman Claudia Hofmeister all had a score of 55. 

“I was really happy with the way I played, and I was very confident on at least six of the holes I played,” Ossi said. “My favorite part about the match was when I got a birdie on a par 4. It was so exciting to watch my putt get to the hole almost 30 feet away off the fringe.” 

The girls are led by coach Tom Feeney who focuses on improving everyone’s swings for long and short distances.  

“I absolutely love our coach,” Ossi said. “He’s so funny and is nice to everyone he meets. He also makes sure nobody gets discouraged.” 

Feeney is known by the girls for teaching them to keep positive attitudes even after bad shots.  

“If it wasn’t for coach Feeney choosing me to be a part of the team my freshman year, I don’t know if I would’ve continued playing after tryouts,” Garret said. “Without his support early on, I may have not been in the position of having a future with golf.” 

The girls practice at the MacDill Air Force Base golf course throughout the week in preparation for their matches.  

“MacDill could be a bit nicer and more maintained,” Johnson said. “The course itself isn’t that great but overall practicing there is fun.” 

The team will play in 10 more matches this season and then possibly progress to states. Matches take place either at private country clubs or public golf courses.  

“We all want to grow as a team while representing Plant well,” Stites said. “Our team’s goal for the season is to push ourselves to states.”