NHS girl golfers out to manage course back to state

All athletes and all teams mark up their main goal of each season — go to state.

Newton High’s girls are no different. The Cardinal golfers had a taste of state competition a year ago, taking third at the Iowa Class 4A tournament.

But, there is work to be done between April and June for the Cardinals. Newton’s 2015 girls’ golf team is filled with highly motivated players including three golfers who played in the 2014 state tournament.

“We all work well together. We are positive and encouraging with each other. We have a lot of new girls with potential,” said junior Jessica Reynolds, who is the Cardinals top player. She captured the eighth-place medal at the state tournament a year ago.

“If we all practice hard and stay positive, we’ll have a good team this year.”

Senior Shelbey Cochran agreed with Reynolds. Cochran is the defending 4A regional tournament champion. Cochran and Reynolds have played in two straight state tournaments and know managing the course, no matter what golf course they are playing, is important as an individual golfer and as a team.

“We have a good mentality as a team. If we have a bad hole, we can bounce back and do well on the next hole,” Cochran said. “We are there for each other — to pick each other up if one of us has a bad hole or two.”

Newton head coach Scott Enyart, who is in his 14th year directing the NHS girls’ golf team, said he liked what he was hearing from his golfers. He said the team has had good practices so far and the Cardinals have another full week to practice before starting the season.

The Cardinals open the 2015 season at the Urbandale Invitational on April 13. They only have one home date this season — the Cardinal Invitational on May 8 at Westwood Golf Course.

Reynolds, Cochran and junior Cydney Hillyard were on the state team for Newton last year. Also back for the Cardinals are seniors Abby Jolivette and Olivia Maharry, juniors Alyssa Bartels, Emily Fitzgerald, Jessie Smith and Amber Sorenson and sophomore Lizzy Coyle. Newcomers to the team are senior Hannah Scotton and freshman Taylor Dydell.

Reynolds finished with a 44 average for nine holes of golf last year and 92 average for 18 holes. Her lows for both were 41 and 84. Cochran averaged a 45.75 score over nine holes and a 95.50 average for 18 holes. She shot a 42 round as her nine-hole low score and an 85 for 18 holes.

“Our depth will develop by the end of the year,” Enyart said. “We’re fortunate to have a group of girls who want to be out for the team, love the game, and are willing to work at it and have fun doing it. As the girls work during practices and meets, they’ll develop their skills and confidence. It’s a year-long process.”

Reynolds said she was working on her putting and chipping a lot this season. She said her focus was to get better around the green to lower her scores.

“I’d say this season the best part of my game are my approach shots. I’m working to make better shots and making those short putts to have better scores,” Reynolds said.

Cochran said her putting has started out well this season and she hopes it stays that way all season.

“I’m concentrating on making straighter drives. I just want to go out and do my best and get back to state,” Cochran said.

Hillyard had her first experience in a state tournament last year and found out what it takes to get there. She said she has made a lot of improvement from last year, including her swing and set up.

“My long game is the best. The short game can get me sometimes,” Hillyard said.

Jolivette, Maharry, Smith and Fitzgerald each played in at least one or two varsity meets last year, Enyart said.

“They got some varsity experience and have worked hard to improve their games. They’ve made huge strides and are willing to put in the work this season. We’re looking to fill the six varsity spots with our best players each time,” Enyart said. “Last year, we had different people rotating into the No. 6 spot for us throughout the season.”

Jolivette has been on the golf team all four years. She said her goal for season is to shoot in the 40s and improve as the season goes on. She said she’s been working hard on her drives in practice.

Scotton brings some golfing experience with her, but hasn’t played competitive high school golf before. She said her friends played on the team and had encouraged her to come out each year, but she played soccer.

“This year I decided to come out for the golf team. I golfed when I was younger. I just want to improve and have fun,” Scotton said.

Enyart said Scotton and Dydell have shown they are fundamentally sound on the golf course. He said both will gain a lot of experience this season.

Speaking of gaining experience, Enyart pointed to Bartels, Coyle and Sorenson as golfers who are developing well. They played a lot on the junior varsity level last year and are working hard to get to the varsity level.

Newton went undefeated in Little Hawkeye Conference dual meets a year ago and won the conference tournament. Enyart said the Cardinals should be in the mix again for the LHC title along with Norwalk and Pella.

Newton won a 4A regional championship to send the team to state in 2014. Newton has been to state four times as a team — 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014 — under Enyart’s guidance. Enyart’s assistant coach is Alison Provin.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com