Girls golf: Carpentier optimistic for the future

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The Farmington girls golf team dealt with injuries and inexperience during back-to-back last place finishes last week.

Consistent top-two team finisher Terra Klima sat out with an injured back and Brenna Donnelly played through pain as the Tigers shot a team score of 458 Thursday in a Missota Conference meet at Fountain Valley Golf Course.

Senior Alexia Rains led the varsity team with an 18-hole round of 105, but it was eighth-grader Brianna Swenson who led the Tigers with a round of 100 in the JV portion of the meet. The potential that lies in some of the team’s young golfers like Swenson is what is keeping first-year golf coach Rob Carpentier optimistic for the future.

“We had a rough week but had reason for optimism,” Carpentier said. “We are generally sending out at least four golfers who have little or no varsity experience before the season. That’s an issue of mental toughness and that’s what we’re trying to develop.”

Carpentier also sees potential in freshmen Alexis Preese, who shot a team-best round of 103 on Wednesday and a 116 on Thursday, and Mia Johnston, who has been measured at over 200 yards off the tee.

“They have a great deal of potential and both played their first varsity matches this week,” he said. “(Playing in the No. 2 spot) on Thursday put a lot of pressure on her and she went up against several golfers that may qualify for state and she stayed right with them.”

Other counting scores on Thursday came from Donnelly, who shot a 117, and Alexis House, who turned in a 119.

Carpentier is hoping improved health and experience will mean better things for his team in the future, starting with this afternoon’s Missota Conference meet at Mississippi National Golf Links.

“As we move forward I am excited to see these girls develop. They are having a lot of fun and there is good team spirit,” he said. “As they gain experience I bet we surprise one or two teams in the conference.”

Tags: girls golf, sports, farmington, tigers, prep