WEST ALEXANDRIA — Golf is back at Twin Valley South. And so is Darcy Robinson.
Robinson thought she had retired from coaching after stepping away from softball in the fall, but after South reintroduced their previously defunct golfing program, she couldn’t resist.
“I’m loving it,” said Robinson. “I became interested in getting the golf program up and running again when I began to hear about Nathan Osborn’s ability, even as early as when I had him in class in seventh grade. I figured that someone with his talent should get the opportunity to represent our school and hopefully go far in tournament play. I also knew that there were others in his class that were also interested in playing. So I began putting the bug in our athletic director’s ear about getting the program going again. I really had no idea at the time that I would actually be coaching the team, but here I am. I’m glad things have worked out the way they have.”
Osborn is only a freshman but is currently making a big splash on the course already, earning top medalist at the county meet with a score of 81.
Joining Osborn is a team full of golf course junkies, according to Robinson.
“They are constantly going to the course or the driving range, wanting to improve. We’ll have three hour practices, then I’ll have guys that will stay and play another nine holes, or they’ll come an hour early to hit range balls before we even start practice. As a coach, I have to love that kind of work ethic and passion,” she said.
While the team is wildly excited to have golf back at South, they are also unsure what to expect, as high school golf is new to all the members on the team.
“As we get a few matches under our belts, I think we’ll start to surprise some people. We’ve definitely got the potential to be competitive, but only one player has ever played in actual competitive type of play. So nerves are an issue right now,” said Robinson.
Another member of the golf team to look out for this season is senior Winston Crosier. He has a lot of experience on the golf course, just not in competitive play. As the season progresses, Robinson hopes for him to be on the same level as Osborn.
Also rounding out the roster is Conner Bradley, Levi Klips, Jayden Bassler and Chance Parks.
The Panthers finished second at the county meet with a team score of 402. Crosier finished with 100, Klips shot a 107 and Bassler shot a 114.
They also finished 10th at the Brookville Invitational on Thursday, August 13 at Moss Creek Country Club. Overall, the team shot a combined score of 400 with Osborn tying for second overall with a score of 74. He was awarded fifth place overall based on his score on the hardest hole.
Crosier shot a 93, Klips shot a 114, and Bassler shot a 119.
They were scheduled to take on Arcanum on Monday, August 17 and Bethel on Tuesday, August 18. On Thursday, August 20, they will host Franklin Monroe at their home course of Eaton Country Club.
