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The Lady Knights Golf team begins this season with a new coach, Matthew Riffee.

Riffe, who in previous years has coached baseball and basketball, took the job to keep the program alive.

“The position was open and they didn’t have a coach,” Riffee said. “I was worried they wouldn’t have a team. I took the job to help out the girls,”

The five girls on the team are excited about their new coach and what he brings to the table.

“I think it gave us a new opportunity to bond as a team and set new goals,” sophomore Sarah Creeley said.

Riffe helps the girls understand the mental aspect of the game, but wishes he could help improve their swing.

“The hardest part [about coaching the girls] is not knowing as much about swing mechanics as I want to,” Riffe said.

Last year’s team had 11 girls and only five returned.

Although the team lost six golfers, it has not effected their attitude toward the team. It has improved it.

“I like how enthusiastic the girls are about winning,” Riffee said. “I love the small team interaction,”

For this season, the team has set high expectations for themselves based on what they believe they can achieve.

“[My goal] is to make it to state,” Creeley said. “Just to get my name out there and prove what hard work can do for you.”

Jaxon Nagel