Spartan Golf is winding down, but the ladies are still putting in maximum effort. photo by Kevin Fleming

The Thomas Jefferson girls’ golf team played a league match at City Park on Tuesday and they sent four players to the meet.  Nicole Blake, Nicole Brown, Marelle Davey, and Dallas Ockey were the four members for the Spartans, but none of these players were able to place.

This was a tough tournament as it was the first real golf that the players were able to play for a couple of weeks due to bad weather and Spring Break.  “This was a really tough tournament and it did not help that they were not able to get much practice in before hand, so all things considering, the girls did a rather good job,” stated Head Coach Mark Smith.

This is only the second match that the girls have played in, but there have been some noted improvements among them.  Their coach still believes that there is a lot of potential among the young team, but there is another worry among the team that is on the minds of both the players and the coach.  “While we are still just barely into our season we have to worry about keeping our players still interested in playing golf,” stated Smith.  The girls are not worried, though, for they hope to eventually be able to be contenders in the meets.

Four golfers competed in the City Meet on Tuesday. photo by Kevin Fleming

The Thomas Jefferson Girls’ Golf team played a league match at City Park on Tuesday and they sent four players to the links:  Nicole Blake, Nicole Brown, Marelle Davey, and Dallas Ockey, but none of the players were able to place.

This was a tough tournament and was the first real golf that the girls were able to play in a couple of weeks due to bad weather and Spring Break.  “This was a really tough tournament and it did not help that they were not able to get much practice in before hand, so all things considered, the girls did a rather good job,” stated Head Coach Mark Smith.

This is only the second match in which the girls have participated, but there have been some noted improvements among them.  Coach Smith still believes that there is a lot of potential among the young team, but he is still worried about the focus of his squad.  “While we are still just barely into our season, we have to worry about keeping our players interested in playing golf,” stated Smith.

TJ Girls Golf is off and swinging in 2009. photo by Kevin Fleming

The Thomas Jefferson girls’ golf team sent three members of their team to play in their first match of the season. Taliah Farnsworth, Nicole Brown, and Marelle Davey took part in the tournament, but none of them were able to place at the competition.

The team played decent golf in their first match of the season.  Although none of the three girls placed, Head Coach Mark Smith was pleased with their overall performance.  “We are a very young squad with a lot of potential and we have the possibility to have one of the best teams that we have had in awhile,” stated coach Smith.

By Scott Bruskin

    The Lady Spartans had a good showing, placing fourth in their match on Tuesday, April 15. The team was led by senior Emily McBride, who shot a 60 through 9 holes.  Also shooting a 60 was junior Hall Hupperts. Sophomore Talya Farnsworth shot a 63. The fourth and final golfer, freshman Nicole Blake, shot a 67. Each one of these golfers shot their career best and are starting to get a hold of things. “We all shot very well and we thought the day was a success. Everyone walked off the course feeling like they did something good,” Farnsworth said. “I personally feel that the whole team has improved by leaps and bounds.”

    Coach Mark Smith is enjoying the season and is looking forward to Regional tournament as well as the City Cup. “We are building up to Regionals, and we would like to make a good showing at the City Cup.” The City Cup will all but determine the winner of the Denver Prep League.

    However, there is one more match before the City Cup (which will be next Thursday.) The girls will play on Tuesday, April 22 at City Park Golf Course. The tee time is scheduled for 2:00. Look for the golfers to keep shooting well and post good scores from here on out.

by Scott Bruskin

    The girls golf team played a great match Wednesday, April 9 and finished in third place behind St. Mary’s and East. Only three of the girls were able to finish the 9 holes, but the golfers who did finish the course shot well. Lone senior Emily McBride shot a 61 and Junior Hall Hupperts shot a 70. Not far behind Hupperts was Nicole Blake who finished the day with a 71. Coach Mark Smith can see the girls improve each and every time they hit the course. “Great progress is being made as each week goes by,” Smith commented.

     The girls are starting to gain momentum, and have been learning the game especially well. The golfers are now becoming competitive with their other DPS foes. The best part about this year’s team is that (outside of McBride,) they are very young, and should be competitive from here on out. Junior, Hupperts and freshman, Blake have really had some success on the course so far this season.

    The girls’ look to have another strong finish on Tuesday, April 15 when they play another match. Tee time will be at 1:00 at Kennedy Golf Course.
 

By Scott Bruskin

    The Girls golf’ team is back in action and ready to play, led by a team full of new and young faces. The team has no returning players from last year. Usually this means that they are due for a let down, but according to Head Coach Mark Smith, that is not the case. “This year the girls are more competitive and just seem to have that fiery edge that it takes to succeed in anything,” Smith said. However, the one thing Smith desires to teach the girls is an appreciation for the game. “I hope to instill my passion and integrity for the game into them.”    

    The girls started the season off a little slow, struggling in their first nine holes. The Spartans were lead by freshman Nicole Brown who shot a 69.  Following Brown was Chanel Beerumen who ended up with a 71 through nine. The girls’ team still has room for improvement as the season has barely gotten underway. Their next meet will be on March 17 at the DPS Spring Classic.

    Now that the season is underway, Smith sees potential in the golfers. “We have the possibility to build a solid team. Through a week and a half of practice, we have made great progress.” It should be known, though, that the girls are still young and still learning. “We are still trying to understand the odds and ends of golf,” said Smith. It looks as if the leader of the team will be their lone senior, Emily McBride. Smith can see flashes of talent in McBride, who is entering her first year on the team. The other players who could surprise people are junior Hall Hupperts, and Sophomore Talya Farnsworth.

    As far as Farnsworth is concerned, she could not be happier to be able to play. “My dad, my brother, and especially my grandma played golf, so they showed me how fun it could be,” Farnsworth exclaimed. “Once I realized I had somewhat of a knack for it, I really got into it.” What Farnsworth loves most about golf though is different from most people; “I love hitting that lucky shot, that hole in one, that is always the most entertaining.”

    TJ’s division has eleven other teams including South, North, West, East, Lincoln, George Washington, Kennedy, Matchbuffe, Denver Christian, Kent, and St. Mary’s. It looks as if Kent will be the favorite in a tough division.

Coaches

 Head Coach: Mark Smith

Roster