Lady Lions’ golf has low turnout this year

Only four girls are out this season

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Mar 17, 2010

John Brewington / The Spotlight

LADY LION GOLFERS—St. Helens’ girls golf teamthis season includes: (from left) assistant coach Will Chilson, Micki Simpson, Alysha Takara, Taylor Foster, and coach Jen Johnston.

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With just four girls out for the St. Helens High girls’ golf team this season, the squad is going to have a hard time making an impression on the Northwest Oregon Conference this spring.

Third-year coach Jen Johnston has just one senior and three sophomores on the team. Those players include senior Micki Simpson, and sophomores Alysha Pakara, Taylor Foster and Nichole Perry.

Monday, the team opened their season by hosting the conference at the St. Helens Golf Course. One player, Perry, was unable to attend so the squad took an incomplete team score.

The Lady Lions were fifth in the district last season, and sent one player, Dana Domenighini on to state.

“The girls I do have playing are all really nice kids and will do well individually,” Johnson said. “I’m going to have to do a lot more recruiting. Girls need to know there are a lot of golf scholarships available for them and all they really need are good grades.”

The girls have been working hard getting ready for the season.

“It’s been beautiful today, but not so good the last few weeks,” Johnson said. “We’ve spent a lot of time at the golf course and they’ve been great.”

The squad had just three girls on hand for the NWOC match they hosted Monday at the St. Helens Golf Course. Scoring is done on a points basis, rather than by par. Alysha Takara was team medalist with 29 points, followed by Micki Simpson with 21 points, and Taylor Foster with 11 points. Liberty, Glencoe, and Wilsonville were the team leaders.

The girls have spring break off from competition, but resume afterwards with a league match at the Meriwether Golf Course on Wednesday, March 31.