Grant
CHARLOTTESVILLE — Enough players to have a team score and the inaugural season of a middle school program has the Eastern Hancock girls golf program moving in the right direction.
Coach Dustin Eck’s team had just three players in 2022. The Royals have added one more to their total this season, just enough to tabulate a team score in their dual and tournament competitions.
What has Eck even more excited is the development of a program at the middle school level. Getting a chance to give girls the opportunity to play when they are younger will hopefully gain, and maintain, interest in the sport when they get to the high school level.
“Something to build off of. That’s kind of been our motto the last couple of years,” Eck said.
Emily Grant is one of two seniors on the high school team and the first player that Eck will have had for four varsity seasons. Sophomore Lyla Hancock is also back from last season. They’ve added senior Emily Hodges, who is new to the sport, and freshman Loretta Wallace, who has worked at Royal Hylands Golf Course, the team’s home course, during the summer with golf camps.
“They’re learning the game and getting to know each other and getting some continuity,” Eck said of the early season practices. “It should be a real fun, enjoyable group.
“Their attitudes are great. We’re focusing on getting a little better every day and looking to continue to improve and learn the game. It’s a hard game. We’re working through that frustration that every shot is not going to be your best and building that mentality up.”
Royal Hylands Golf Course has been a big supporter in the program’s growth, too. Eck said the Knightstown course has helped the girls with clubs, balls, time on the course and instruction. “They go out of the way in supporting our program,” he said.
Looking to the future, Eck said the middle school team, coached by Tiffany Almond, should have six or seven players for the fall season. They currently have a six-match schedule that includes competitions against other county schools.
“We’re trying to build those skills and build the program,” Eck added.
The varsity team opens the season today at Wapahani against the Raiders and Union (Modoc).
The first home match at Royal Hylands is scheduled for Aug. 9 against north Decatur.
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2023 Eastern Hancock Girls Golf Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Aug. 3;vs. Wapahani;4:30 p.m.
Aug. 8;at North Decatur/Union;4:30 p.m.
Aug. 10;vs. Mt. Vernon;4:30 p.m.
Aug. 16;vs. Triton Central;4 p.m.
Aug. 17;vs. Southwestern;5 p.m.
Aug. 21;vs. Knightstown/Shenandoah;4:30 p.m.
Aug. 22;vs. Wes-Del;4:30 p.m.
Aug. 24;at Northeastern;5 p.m.
Aug. 26;at MEC (TBD);1 p.m.
Aug. 28;vs. Union County;5 p.m.
Aug. 29;at Hancock County (Hawk’s Tail);4:30 p.m.
Aug. 31;at Cambridge City Lincoln;4:30 p.m.
Sept. 5;vs. Tri;4:30 p.m.
Sept. 12;vs. Randolph Southern;5 p.m.
Sept. 14;vs. Centerville;5 p.m.
