WEST ALEXANDRIA — The Twin Valley South golf team is ready to tee off for the 2016 season.
Coach Darcy Robinson is in her second year leading the fledgling program after retiring from softball after 32 years and basketball after 21.
“Last season was our first time we had a team after a long hiatus,” said coach Robinson. “Numbers were an issue in the past. We had a sensational freshman in Nathan Osborn, so we wanted to make sure he had an opportunity to play and represent the Panthers. We did a fairly good job in our first year, we finished in the middle of the pack in the league. We had some All-CCC players last year in Osborn and senior Winston Crosier. Osborn earned CCC Player of the Year as a freshman, so we were pretty happy about that.”
Two players return from last year: sophomores Osborn and Chance Parks. There are six total players on the current roster. Willie Bowman, a sophomore, is new to the program, but has played on his own in summer competitions and looks to contribute for the Panthers. Freshman Cole Peterson started playing golf only a month ago, but is listed as a natural athlete and is expected to be a factor.
“Last year, I was fortunate enough to play well and win the tournament,” Osborn said. “As the returning player, I’m okay with that. I want to try and accomplish the same things that I did last year, and improve my game.”
Juniors Autumn Newdigate and Noelle Bright are two ladies who are new to golf but eager to play the game.
“They are going to help us out,” said Robinson. “They are at a disadvantage because they have to tee from the men’s position, but they haven’t complained and they are really helping out the team. People don’t realize how tough golf really is, but I embrace the challenge and learning the rules because it’s a pleasure to do it for the kids.”
“I know that teams in the conference graduated as well as we had, so it’s hard to know where we fit in conference competition. We have four kids who haven’t played before, but with Nathan and Chance, we could finish middle of the pack.”
Twin Valley South finished fourth in the Preble County Tournament on Monday, Aug. 8. They were scheduled to be on the road at the Brookville Invitational on Thursday, and at the CCC Preview at Stillwater on Friday.
