This year, the girls’ golf team looks for another successful season under new head coach Matt Koontz. The team looks to follow up on a successful season last year, which was highlighted by a third-place finish at state by junior Naomi Koontz.

Koontz, along with others on the team, looks forward to fun meets, opportunities to improve, and making unforgettable memories on the course this year.

“I think my favorite meet will be state, at Emporia, because I like the course,” Koontz said.

Koontz is the team’s lone returner who made the trip to Emporia last year for state. Koontz’s dad, Coach Koontz, stepped up into an opening as the head coach for the girls’ golf team this year. Koontz appreciates the opportunities her dad has given her.

“I love having my dad as the coach. He does a really good job with our team and is very involved,” Naomi said.

Coach Koontz hasn’t been a blessing to just Naomi; he has been an inspiration to others as well. This is the first year junior Chaylee Nash has participated in golf. She has stepped into a huge role, considering she has never played before. She loves the environment and culture that the team provides.

“I love having Matt (Koontz) as a coach. He’s really helpful. 
And he knows what I need before I do most times,” Nash said.

The team as a whole has been putting in great effort in practices and free time. And their work is showing in the meets, with new personal bests and great performances across the board. One highlight performance already this year comes from Koontz, who shot 8 under par with a final score of 63 at the McPherson Invitational for a new course record. Koontz aims to improve her game for the upcoming meets.

“My main individual goals are to… shoot 2 under par at all of my tournaments coming up, and… [to] just not make stupid mistakes,” Koontz said.