NEW PALESTINE — There has been little need for introductions — for the most part — during the first week of practice for the New Palestine girls golf team.
The Dragons return the entire five-member varsity lineup that finished 2021 season as regional qualifiers.
New Palestine placed third in last year’s New Palestine Sectional, played at Hawk’s Tail of Greenfield, and wrapped up the year with an 11th place finish at the Lapel Regional.
Senior Zoe Nelson, juniors Katie Stanfield, Lauren Appleby, Hanna Beller and sophomore Janie Hamilton all made that late September trip to The Edge (formerly Edgewood Golf Club) in Anderson.
Senior Ava Hasecuster and sophomore Lily Kirchner, who also played some varsity matches, also return from last season.
“We have everybody back, which is very exciting,” New Palestine coach Sarah O’Brien said. “I feel like I really have a solid group with experience that are pretty much ready to go.”
The Dragons do have five freshmen. All are newcomers to the game. They include Marisa Dillon, Kalle Jones, Katie Kelley, Lauren Purnell and Matti Tiede-White.
“I am still trying to get a feel for their games. I’m really excited with the numbers and potential,” the coach added.
Nelson, who is in her fourth season playing varsity matches, shot a team-low 92 during sectional competition, finishing sixth individually, in the 11-team, 50-player tournament. The Dragons shot a 387 and were only three strokes behind second-place Greenfield-Central.
“She’s very consistent,” O’Brien said of Nelson. “She’s steady and can go very low.”
O’Brien said players have put in a lot of work during the summer. She said they all are hitting the ball well. Her practice plan is to have the team work more on chipping and putting.
“It’s where you score. That’s where we will be spending a lot of time this fall,” she said. “They love to go to the driving range, but I love to chip and putt. I know that’s where they are going to make up the most ground (for their scores).”
The Dragons will be the most experienced team of the four county schools when they meet for local bragging rights at Hawk’s Tail on August 30.
Mt. Vernon, the defending champions, graduated its top four players. Greenfield-Central returns its talented No. 1 Sydnie Wherry, but the majority of last year’s runner-up team graduated. Eastern Hancock is still trying to fill out a full lineup. The Royals currently have three players.
New Palestine will have the most experienced team. O’Brien hopes that will lead to success on the course.
“We’ve talked about the county championship, the sectional championship. We’ve got the fire power to do it. That’s exciting,” O’Brien said. “It’s going to be a matter of how we progress. It’s always a little unsteady at the beginning, even though they have played all summer. It’s getting in the swing of being in school all day, matches after school … Usually by mid to late August they start to find their stride and it’s a ton of fun.”
O’Brien said they’d also like to finish in the top tier in the Hoosier Heritage Conference tournament. A year ago, the Dragons placed fifth.
The Dragons open the season today at the Greensburg Invitational. The first dual match will be Monday at Greenwood. New Palestine will not have a match on the home course until Aug. 22 when it welcomes Greenfield-Central and Franklin Central.
New Palestine hosts an invitational on Aug. 20, but is currently looking for host course for the event.
