By Derrick Smith
The Union High School girls golf team is headed back to familiar territory. For at least the thirteenth consecutive season, the team will compete for the state championship. This year’s version of the team is ready to play for the title after last season was cut short due to Covid.
The team’s coach, Lindsay Jones, says that while her squad was bummed after last season, it gives them more fire for this season.
“Of our five varsity players, three of them are seniors who had their junior seasons taken away due to COVID last spring,” Jones stated. “Just getting to play in our first tournament in March was a huge relief to all of the players and their families. This team is starting to play its very best golf and just the right time.”
Team members are seniors Brooke Carroll, Tessa Gardenhire, and Mary Schulte, junior Cierra Tunley, and freshman Helena Lindsey. Coach Jones says that her team has been working hard to get better each week.
“This season has been one of steady improvement for all of the girls on the team,” she said. “We started off the year at Oak Tree in Edmond with a team score of 390, and just finished Regionals with a team score of 341. Their maturity, integrity, and the positive way they represent Union Public Schools will serve them well as they all eventually go off to college and beyond. I could not be more proud of a group of girls than I am of this team this year.”
As the seniors enter their final shot at a state championship, Carroll says that win or lose, it is going to be tough.
“It’s a mixture of emotions,” she stated. “I am excited to get to play in another state championship. It’s the way you want to end your senior season. But it is sad to think that it will be my last tournament with my teammates and coach Jones and coach Young. My four years on the Union golf team have been memorable because of my teammates. It has been a great experience getting to share all of the past four years with my senior teammates Tessa Gardenhire and Mary Schulte. I could not ask for better teammates.”
