Coach Jim Hoffman says the future of the Seymour girls golf team is bright.
The reason? The top four players on this year’s team were sophomores. They are Lainey Jackson, Phoebe Skidmore, Liza Stuckwisch and Rylee Ebler.
“They improved a lot as the season went along,” said Hoffman, who was assisted by Brian Tidd. “From the beginning to the end, they improved over 30 strokes.”
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The Owls shot 431 in the Seymour Invitational at Shadowood Golf Course on Aug. 5 and shot 398 in the sectional at Otis Park on Sept. 19.
The Owls finished third in the Bedford North Lawrence Sectional at Otis Park, 15th at the Washington Regional in Montgomery and sixth in the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament at Valley View in Floyd Knobs.
Jackson was named most valuable golfer when the team held its awards program Tuesday night at Shadowood.
Jackson played No. 1 for the team all season and averaged 46.3 strokes for nine holes and 97 for 18. Her low scores were 41 for nine holes at Shadowood and 90 for 18 in the HHC. Her score of 97 led the Owls in the sectional.
“She was our leader,” Hoffman said of Jackson. “She was a hard worker, and she put in extra time working on her game.”
Skidmore received the Owls Award for mental attitude and Stuckwisch and Ebler were co-recipients of the most improved award.
Hoffman said the Owls Award goes to someone who gets along with everybody and Skidmore fits that role.
“She was very personable,” he said.
Skidmore averaged 47 for nine and 98 for 18. Stuckwisch averaged 52 and 107, and Ebler averaged 57 and 118.
“Liza had some great rounds,” Hoffman said. “She had a huge jump. She had a 48 on the front nine at regional. Rylee came so far.”
Maddie Nay and Tori Gray received senior awards.
“Maddie had some good rounds,” Hoffman said.
This was Gray’s first year on the team.
The Owls played in groups that included Evansville North players in the Westfield Invitational. Evansville North won the state tournament and they also played in tournaments in Bloomington, Westfield and Mooresville.
“Being paired with good teams in those tournaments was a good experience,” he said.
Facing the toughest competition is helpful.
“They placed third in the regional and got to play in the regional, and that was a good experience,” Hoffman said of the Owls. “We had six girls this year, and we’re losing two seniors. I hope to get a couple more girls involved.”