ROCKINGHAM — Teeing off for the first time during a normal fall schedule in nearly two years, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ golf team will begin its season on Tuesday.
Head coach Keith Parsons returns for his fourth season at the helm of the program, and will guide the Lady Raiders through a six-match regular season in a newly realigned Sandhills Athletic Conference.
Parsons explained that the “roster is a bit fluid” to start the season, and will have three golfers competing in the first match at Scotch Meadows.
Two of them are second-year returners in seniors Jamie Sears and Abigail Tatum, along with freshman newcomer Ella Munn. Last season, Sears averaged 60.9 shots per nine holes (best 58) and Tatum wasn’t far behind with an average of 61.9 shots (best 59).
Parsons added that there are some other hopefuls who will join the team as the season goes along.
“Jamie and Abigail played in the spring, so they will be our leaders,” Parsons said. “They have been doing great in practice, and have offered advice. I expect that will continue.
“I’m glad we have Jamie and Abigail back, they both enjoy the game. Nice to see Ella taking the time to participate; she is running cross country, too, so her time is divided.”
Last spring, the NCHSAA combined the boys’ and girls’ golf seasons, but the Lady Raiders will return to a more “normal” format in the coming two months. Because of COVID-19 guidelines in the spring, teams were restricted to playing amongst one another, but that will change this fall.
“A ‘normal’ schedule for us means each player will be in a group with members of other teams,” Parsons explained. “I like that, it helps to meet other players and have the opportunity to learn from watching how they do things.
“It also will help our group grow as players, since they will be out there essentially by themselves.”
RO Sports File Photo: Jamie Sears tees off during a match last spring. (Deon Cranford/The Richmond Observer)
In the spring, the Lady Raiders finished second in the former Sandhills Athletic Conference with a combined 37 points, just 11 points behind Pinecrest High School. In order to qualify for team points, each school must have at least four golfers competing.
Richmond will be without last year’s leading golfer Georgia Grace Anderson (53.3 shot average), along with regular contributors Delaney Driggers and Angeli Yang, all of whom have graduated. None of the Lady Raiders qualified for the 4A Midwest Regional.
“Our format, from what I have been told, is back to playing mostly threesomes, with players from different schools,” Parsons said. “Also, the first three matches will be nine holes, with the final three (playing) 18.”
In the new conference lineup, Richmond will continue to play against perennial powerhouse Pinecrest, along with Hoke County and Scotland. New to the schedule this year are Lee County, Southern Lee and Union Pines.
Last year, each match was played at one of the courses at Pinehurst Resort, but now the SAC will play at six different courses around the Sandhills region.
“I look forward to visiting a couple of new courses,” Parsons closed. “Again, it is all about our players growing as individuals and golfers. This will help that.”
Richmond’s season will begin with a nine-hole contest at Scotch Meadows in Laurinburg on Tuesday, starting at 3 p.m.
Below is the complete 2021 schedule for the Richmond girls’ golf team. All matches are against SAC opponents, the number of holes are in parentheses and the one home meet is in bold.
Tuesday, Sept. 7 @ Scotland (9) at 3 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 13 @ Foxxfire (9) at 3 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 20 @ Southern Lee (9) at 3 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 27 @ Hoke County (18) at 2 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 4 @ Union Pines (18) at 2 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 11 @ Pinecrest (18) at 2 p.m.
