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Poland girls golf goes for the gold at state
Poland girls golf goes for the gold at state
By matthew peaslee
Until 2008, all girls golf programs played in one division. At that time, Poland was a competitive team that made postseason runs regularly.
They were content with it.
“It was just an accomplishment to make it to districts,” said Poland coach Judy Young. “We played well against the big schools in D-1, but they’re established programs who compete year after year.”
Four years ago there was a split to create another division. Coincidentally, in their first year in the new division, the Bulldogs won the state championship. That was the first step in becoming what Young now calls a “spotlight program.”
After winning the first title, the Bulldogs have made two more visits to Columbus and were the runner-ups each of those two seasons.
“We’ve had the opportunities to go down to states,” Young said. “So, once these kids have tasted it, it motivated them to build our own great program.”
This will be senior Maria Mancini’s ninth time playing the Ohio State Gray Course. She was a freshman on the 2008 championship team.
“It’s different every year, though,” the Indiana commit said. “It’ll help being a little more mentally prepared to know what to expect, but it’s not a complete advantage.”
Mancini finished in fifth, shooting 153 at the state tournament a year ago. Former teammate Allison Mitzel tied her for that spot. Now, the Bulldogs sport a new team but an experienced one. Christine Bilas and Giana DiBenedetto, both seniors, made the trip last year, as did one of the sophomores, Melinda Hannon. This will be Rachel Sines’ first taste of the state’s best competition.
“It’s fun to go down with the younger ones,” Bilas said. “Once they see what it’s like, they want to continue to carry it on for the next few years.”
Mancini takes it as an opportunity to lead and one to cherish.
“I’ve told them that it’s just a game. The less pressure you have on yourself the better you’ll probably do. The main thing is to just go out and have fun.”
All five of the girls in the Poland lineup have taken private lessons with Joe Allen, an instructor based out of Avalon Country Club. With a regimine in the winter that includes trips to the Girard Golf Dome three times a week, proper preparation is in the Bulldogs’ blood. That’s why the week leading up to the championship was strictly a focus week with plenty of situational practice.
“You can’t teach course management, but you can encourage it,” Young said. “My last words out to them are ‘play one shot at a time, one hole at a time, one game at a time.’ There’s 18 games. If you keep the ball in play, you’ll have a good next shot and that’s what matters.”
Young and her team agree that the par 3s may pose the biggest threat because “they play longer than they seem,” Young says. Unanimously, Poland knows how the tournament will be won, as well.
“Putting and chipping are going to be the biggest factors this coming week,” Bilas said. “The short game is make or break. A good short game gets the best scores.”