DARLINGTON — The high school girls’ golf season is in full swing well before the rest of fall sports kick off their competition year.
And North Montgomery coach Nick Johnson knows that improvement is key within the first couple of weeks of the season. Johnson saw that out of his Charger squad on Monday night when they defeated Seeger 204-207 at Rocky Ridge Golf Club.
“I think we are starting to see the improvement a little bit,” Johnson said. “I think the swings are coming to them. To go anywhere from 49 to 54, the spreads are getting a little bit closer. I think to be competitive though we still need to get four people sub-50. Whether that’s in duals going out or conference or sectional.”
Grace Littell led North Montgomery with a 49, while Grace Shrader fired a 50 and Morgan Swick a 51. Ella Stultz rounded out the Chargers’ score with a 54. Maggie Yeager shot a 57, Rylie Koopman a 58 and Shayna Ratcliff a 59.
“The girls are starting to find their swings,” Johnson noted. “So I think as we progress into the season, the game will come to them a little bit more.
“It was nice to play at home. Obviously the girls are comfortable here at Rocky.”
North Montgomery returned all seven players from a season ago, where Grace Littell emerged for the Chargers and qualified for the regional. Johnson believes to be competitive down the stretch this season it will take consistency in the lineup with all five varsity players capable of leading the team.
The Chargers return to the course on Tuesday afternoon at Rocky Ridge against South Putnam. As the season progresses, Johnson sees an opportunity for his teams’ short game to improve significantly.
“I still look at their cards as they keep track and we still have some four putts and a lot of three puts,” Johnson said. “Over the course of nine holes, if you average a three-put and you cut that down to two, you’re taking nine strokes off your score. Short game will be where our Achilles’ heel will be. When we chip and putt well, we will score well.”
Attica was incomplete with just three scores, although Jocelyn Kerr was the medalist with a 39.
