Putting in the effort for success
Searching out the Competition. Galena Girls patiently waiting for their tee times to be called, pose for their final group picture of the season. In the picture, starting from left includes, Gracie Lange ‘21, Ava Miller ‘22, Julia Townsend ‘23, and Grace Hillard ‘22. “Our team has a lot of potential and hopefully we can be back to back conference” said Hillard.
The Galena High School Girls Varsity Golf team had a wonderful season earning a perfect 8-0 record in the conference!
There were many changes made to golf tournaments this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The girls had to practice social distancing skills while on the golf course, this included staying six feet away from the other competitors and wearing masks on the course until tee off. Grace Hillard explains the differences from this season compared to last year. Hillard states, “I was excited for this season but knew it wasn’t going to be like previous years, we were not allowed to share equipment with any other of the players and weren’t able to exchange scorecards with the other players. It was a big change but I got used to it quickly.”
There were many changes made to golf tournaments this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. “This year was a big change compared to last,” said Grace Hillard ‘22. “For example we had social distance and were not allowed to exchange scorecards. It was a big change but I got used to it quickly.” Golfers were also required to wear a mask on the golf course until they teed off.
The GHS Girls Golf Team traveled to Lake Carroll Golf Club for the conference championships on September 29th. Despite the rainy and cold weather conditions, the team had a successful day. The girls were conference champs with an overall score of 402. Polo and Lena-Winslow/Pearl City placed 2nd and 3rd with scores of 427 and 428. Conference champ all around was Julia Townsend ‘23 with a 91. The rest of the players’ scores were as follows: Ayden Wells ‘23 – 98, all conference, Madeline Ries ’22 – 105, Gracie Lange ‘21 – 108, Grace Hilliard ‘22 – 110 and Ava Miller ‘22 with a 118.
“I was very proud of becoming conference champ because it was a big accomplishment for me as well as our team,” said Townsend. “It was a huge accomplishment for the school as I was the first golf conference champ in Galena history.”
The GHS Varsity Girls Golf team took 5th place October 7 at Regionals at Prairie View on a very windy day. Wells led the Pirates with a 96 and was 12th place overall. “I think I improved a lot from last year and can’t wait to see what next season brings,” she said. “This year was different due to COVID and we had a lot of new girls join. I really enjoyed having a larger team this year because it was so much fun golfing with new faces.”
The other scores at regional consisted of: Ries 100, Hillard 103, Lange, 104, Townsend 104, and Miller with a 110. This season record went 8-0 in conference! They were the first girls at GHS to win a conference.
In her last competition of the season, lone senior member of the team, Lange explains her overall season and the ups and downs. She said, “I believe that I could have stayed more positive throughout the season and be more confident in my game. I think I would have had better results throughout the season if I didn’t get so down on myself. Although I am really glad I got to bond with my amazing team and am so sad that this was my last year.”
Overall the GHS Girls Golf team had a wonderful season. They had many rough weather conditions but came back out on top! GHS is so proud of how far they have come this season and can’t wait to see what they will accomplish next season.
