The OHS girls golf team returns this season with high hopes for success. With the previous year’s entire varsity team returning, there is a strong sense of camaraderie amongst the team. Even for new players, it has been an easy process of fitting in, due to the welcoming and comfortable environment created by the returning team. 

Senior captain Brooke Kunkel said, “I am looking forward to spending my last season with my friends and being a part of a team that is as close as we are.” 

This year’s team is led by three senior captains: Emily Schmidt, Makayla Mahlman and Brooke Kunkel. These captains pride themselves on their ability to create a family-like bond between the team. 

A common goal shared across the team is working on mental toughness. In order to be able to perform their best on a physical level, players must be mentally strong. Getting into their head after a mistake can cost a player the rest of their hole or entire round. 

Kunkel said, “I would say that some challenges we have to overcome are being able to move on from our mistakes and not letting one shot affect our whole round.” 

Improving their mental toughness will give this team the ability to take their game to the next level. 

Head coach Jason Kaytor, has bigger goals in mind for his players this season. Kaytor said, ”We would like to finish in the top half of the conference and play as a team on the second day of the section tournament.” Kaytor hopes to see a lot of improvement out of his whole team. 

The girls’ close bond and sense of community will be a leading factor in their success this season. They started off the season strong with a personal best team score of 370 at their first meet. Kaytor and the girls have high hopes for the outcome of the rest of the season. 

The girls next meet will be on Monday, May. 1 in Lakeville.