Junction City’s girls have been successful this golf season. All of their success, however, has come in 9-hole matches. The conference tournament, which will be held in two weeks, will be 18 holes.
The Lady Dragons haven’t played in an 18-hole tournament this season.
“Yeah, it is a concern, but we practice 18 holes on weekends,” said Junction City coach Shelby Ward. “Everyone on the team is a multi-sport athlete and is currently involved in various sports. They have softball, cheer, basketball practices every day. Some even go to multiple practices a day, so hopefully, that helps with the physical aspect of playing 18 holes. We are hoping to get in one or two actual matches before conference in a couple of weeks.”
Parkers Chapel and Smackover are in similar situations. The Trojans played 18 holes at the season-opening Simmons Bank Invitational at the Lions Club. The Bucks played 18 at the Camden Country Club.
“I’ve played one 18-hole match this high school season,” said Smackover’s Judson Wolfe, who shot 83 in Camden. “I do feel confident I can play good golf in these big tournaments. I normally play better towards the end of the year than the beginning.”
Parkers Chapel’s John Hall and Jaxon Waggoner shot 80 and 88, respectively, at the Lions Club.
The Lady Trojans’ Lorali Barnes shot 92 in her only 18-hole match at the Lions Club.
Junction City’s Karla Castillo hopes to play her best in the tournaments at the end of the season. She hasn’t played 18 in a tournament, yet.
“Yeah it’s a concern, but we have a few 18-hole matches coming up and we practice 18,” she said. “We will be okay. Me and my team just played 18 holes (Sunday) and we did pretty well.”