The girls golf team is preparing for their midstate game with new players, new practice techniques, and a new coach.
An experienced, passionate coach from Franklin Central took over the Woodmen golf team. Coach Steve Land joined the Greenwood community two years ago. He has brought a new perspective and enthusiasm to the team. Coach Land started his coaching career nearly 40 years ago.
“I love working with the kids and just playing golf. I have been playing golf since I was 14, so I love getting to pass on the knowledge that I have. I want the kids to get interested; golf is a game of a lifetime,” Coach Land said.
Coach Land spent the majority of his career at Franklin Central. He was heading towards retirement; however, he saw the opening at GHS and was not ready to end that portion of his life.
“I coached at Franklin Central for 34 years, but then I had a little disagreement with one of the guys who was running the golf course. I was at the point where I was getting ready to retire anyway, but then I heard Greenwood had an opening to coach, so I made a call. I still love to coach, I’m 76, but I don’t feel 76. I am always interested in coaching,” Coach Land said.
Besides having a dedicated coach, the team relies on the players’ work ethic. The team has several new players this year, all new to the sport. Junior Audree Ferguson is fresh to golf, but she has had a successful year so far.
“It is definitely new, but I love being on the team and the other girls on the team. I think it is really fun to be able to learn something new. My favorite part of golf is meeting new people. I have never had an experience with a girl from another team that hasn’t been positive. Everyone there is super nice,” Ferguson said.
The team has been preparing for Midstate in several different ways. The girls have been working hard in practice and in the off-season. Coach Land has included various workouts for practice to improve players’ overall skill and fundamentals.
“I have three different practice areas. One is the swing area at the range, where we will go to work on our chipping and putting. We do this for about 30-40 minutes. Then, we rotate around. I am excited to have girls who are interested in learning. We need to keep practicing and playing hard at practice and during the off-season, and we’ll be ready.”
In the past, the team has struggled to find players. This year, the team has six players, which is enough to get them a placement spot at Midstate. Sophomore Josie Fiesel is a returning player and is excited to see the season’s outcome with a larger team.
“I think the season’s going pretty well. I have reached new personal records for each lower score, and I think the rest of the season will turn out well. We actually have enough players this year, so hopefully we are able to place as a team in either midstate or sectionals,” Fiesel said.