Edinburgh Community High School’s inaugural season of girls golf can hardly be defined as a worm-burner.
The Lancers won six matches in 2014, placed third at the Mid-Hoosier Conference Meet and came within two shots of advancing one of their players to the Washington Regional.
The official Day 1 of Season 2 is Thursday’s practice at Deer Valley Golf Course in Franklin, where six of last year’s seven players return. Understandably, coach Doug Weddle expects the bar to be set higher.
“Starting out I was just happy to have the numbers, but about a week into last season we started to see how competitive we were,” said Weddle, who also coaches the Edinburgh boys golf team.
“I’m thinking this year we can improve on our record. I would also like to see us be even more competitive in our conference meet, and maybe even win it.”
Any conversation regarding Edinburgh girls golf starts with senior Mariah Weddle, the coach’s daughter who is a virtual lock to be No. 1 in the lineup.
Weddle shot 46-52—98 at the Bloomington North Sectional at Cascades Golf Course to narrowly miss out on the opportunity to extend her season.
Other returnees from the Lancers’ postseason debut are senior Emma Westerfeld, junior Abi Scrogham and sophomore Vanessa McManaway. They will be joined on the roster by senior Savanna Bippus, sophomores Makenzie Hill and Kierra Richards, and perhaps as many as two freshman players.
Edinburgh athletics director David Walden understands a great deal of time and patience are needed when a sports program is started.
All the Lancers accomplished last season proved to be immediate momentum for a program that prior to last season had no past.
“We thought we had at least five players going into the season and ended up with seven, so that was nice. Last season was about fielding a team and competing with schools our own size,” Walden said.
The Lancers open the season Aug. 10 by hosting Whiteland and Brown County at Timbergate Golf Course.
