Fans should not be surprised if the scores of the East Peoria girls golfers are dramatically better this fall.
The players worked hard at their games in the offseason after their inaugural campaign in 2009.
An encouraging sign for the program was all six members of last year’s squad came back and two more non-seniors were added.
“Most of them have worked over the summer,” EPCHS head coach Ashley Ricca said. “They’re excited about the season.”
Ricca said this year is a lot different in that she can work with the linksters to make their swings better, rather than simply teaching the basics.
“The focus instead of survival is being competitive,” she said.
Players competing in their second season are: seniors Lauren Bernard and Morgan Ciota; junior Bridget Wolff; and sophomores Alexa Grant, Bridget Bankes and Shelby Knobeloch.
New to the team in ’10 are junior Courtney Clark and freshman Riley Spokely.
To strengthen her game, Wolff participated in the Peoria Park District’s long-running Junior Open tournament series.
“It prepares you for what’s going to happen in the season,” said Wolff.
The junior also noticed the strides most players have made from a season ago.
“A lot of us have gotten a whole lot better compared to last year,” Wolff said.
The fact the players are friends makes a difference, Wolff said.
Ricca said the golfers have set some good goals to lower their averages, like better putting.
There will be some healthy competition since there are six varsity spots available for eight girls.
The Mid-Illini Conference now has all eight members playing girls golf after Limestone added a squad this season.
The boys and girls schedules now are in sync.
All seven league matches will be held on the same day. If the girls are at home, the boys are on the road and vice versa.
East Peoria also has new nine-hole matches in September against Pontiac and Normal West, Galesburg, Eureka and Brimfield.
The Raiders twice will play Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Country Club, Canton’s new home after Canton Public Golf Course was closed.
The Cuba club is the site of this year’s 18-hole Mid-Illini tournament.
The girls will be in position to slice a bunch of strokes from last year’s 522 at conference.
Tuesday, East Peoria was scheduled to open at Washington before facing Metamora Thursday at Quail Meadows Golf Course.
The progress made by the Raiders from the first to second year will be interesting to follow.
