South Putnam golf wins at Northview
BRAZIL -- The 2007 season is shaping up to be one to remember for the South Putnam girls' golf squad with a win over Northview, 184-188 Tuesday.
Again showing up strong for the Eagles was senior Emily Zimmerman.
"She's come on in the last few weeks and been right around par just about every match for us," South Putnam head coach Debbie Steffy said. "I think it's one of those things. She's a senior and she realizes it's her last go around and we're getting the big matches and she'd like to be medalist at some of those matches, I know."
Zimmerman played a solid round from start to finish, ending with a medalist-round of 37, while displaying a perfect blend of good shot-making and obvious confidence in every aspect of her game.
During her round, Zimmerman showed why her name has had medalist beside it so often this season.
On hole No. 4, Zimmerman launched a drive onto the green, narrowly missing a bunker protecting the front of the green and then hit a long drive on No. 6 to set up an approach that flew a few feet past the cup.
But Zimmerman's most solid tee-to-green was on the final hole. After driving the ball off the left side of the fairway, Zimmerman faced a shot to the green that would have to navigate its way between two branches. Without hesitation, Zimmerman approached the ball, took aim and made the shot, which landed just a few short feet off the front of the green to wind down her round, after which she smiled and simply said she was feeling it.
But to think that the Eagles are nothing more than one scorer would be a grave mistake.
The Eagles' No. 2, Heather Hughes, has been having a good year of her own. On Tuesday, she came in with a 42 to help the South Putnam cause. Grace Aker shot a 51, Tosha Fisher shot a 54, and Chelsea Clark added a 55.
The Eagles have the conference tournament on Saturday and Steffy believes if her team keeps its focus, the shots will take care of themselves.
"I'm feeling OK about it," Steffy commented. "We've played both the front and the back and we shot verily well both nights. I just hope we don't get an over-confidence thing going.
"We need to stay focused, take every shot, hit every shot - walk to the ball and hit the next shot and not be thinking ahead," she added.
Steffy also talked about how happy she was with her team's course management when they played against Western Boone and their determination to continue their successful season.
"They work hard. They're going over there (Deer Creek) to practice tomorrow and they will go back on Friday. If we don't do well on Saturday, they'll be disappointed," Steffy said.
The South Putnam junior varsity squad fell to the Knights, 259-244.
Before the Eagles head to conference, they will travel to face Tri-West at 4 p.m. Thursday.
At Brazil
Forest Park Golf Course
South Putnam 184, Northview 188
Medalist -- Zimmerman (SP) 37
South Putnam -- Zimmerman 37, Hughes 42, Aker 51, Fisher 54, Clark 55.
Northview -- Tribble 41, Tomlinson 43, Oehler 51, Pursell 53, Shaw 55.
Junior varsity
Northview 244, South Putnam 259
Next match -- Before the Eagles head to conference, they will travel to face Tri-West at 4 p.m. Thursday.