For The Tribune

BLOOMINGTON

Seymour kicked off the girls golf season by competing against four of last year’s top five teams in the state in the Bloomington South Invitational Monday at Bloomington Country Club.

Westfield’s Jocelyn Bruch set a course record with an 11-under-par 62 to help the Shamrocks win the invitational with a 296 score. Seymour placed 14th out of 17 scoring teams with a 403.

Owls coach Lakin Covey said competing against the top schools is important for her golfers to see how their numbers compare to other teams.

“I think it’s a good motivator for the girls to work a little harder,” Covey said. “I know Westfield put up some good scores today, and the girls are really impressed by those. So I think that’s kind of an eye opener for them to know that in order to get to that state meet it’s going to take getting in the low 80s or 70s.”

Bailey Goben led Seymour with a 97, and Bridget Marshall was one stroke behind with a 98. Andrea Axsom finished with a 101, Laken Waskom shot a 107 and Jenna Ebler ended with a 132.

Covey isn’t too concerned with the team’s long-shot ability, but said her golfers will need to get better in their short games as the season progresses.

“The short game definitely, just because you can make up so many shots,” Covey said. “I think a lot of those three-, four-footers are critical, and we missed quite a few of those.”

Covey was pleased overall with the performance in the Owls’ first time out this season on an unfamiliar course. Four of her top five golfers are returners from last year, and Covey said they scored around what they typically do.

Covey said her fifth golfer will most likely fluctuate throughout the season.