FRUITPORT – Rebuilding is sometimes a hard reality in team sports, and the Fruitport girls golf squad is facing that this season.
The Trojans lost seven senior to graduation in the spring, and head into 2023 with one player who has significant experience.
Fruitport coach Brenda Hansen says that’s okay, because she’s “extremely patient.”
[1]“We have one girl who played every match last year, another who played in a couple, and two who didn’t play at all,” Hansen said.
“I am hoping by the end of the season our putting is decreasing each match and we are doing a lot better. As that happens our scores will be decreasing.”
One potential bright spot for the Trojans will be junior Mylee Mineni, who played every match last season and was the Trojans’ top golfer, performing well in several tournaments.
[2]“She works hard every summer,” Hansen said. “She really wants to improve her game. In the offseason she was taking some lessons from a Grand Valley coach.
“I really like how she knows exactly how to get out of sticky situations. She knows what club to use in those situations. I like her overall positive persona out on the golf course. She did have a few bad times because golf can be really rough, but she did a good job of keeping it at bay.”
Junior Colby Thurston played in a few events for the Trojans last season and will have a much bigger role this year.
[3]Senior Lily Bontreger came out for the team for the first time last year, and “she could surprise some people,” according to Hansen.
Sophomore Tatum Anderson, a first-time golfer, is the fourth member of the team.
Fruitport started out with six players, but two have departed the team. Hansen is hoping to have another player or two on the roster within the next few weeks.
[4]The Trojans will open the season on Friday by hosting the Fruitport Invitational, a nine-team event at Oakridge Golf Course.
Hansen is hoping that Mineni has a strong day, particularly playing on the team’s home course.
“I’m hoping she can get in the top 10 – that’s my goal for her,” the coach said.
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