LAST SEASON: The Trojans weren’t bad, despite having a team with several players who were new to competitive golf. They finished fourth out of sixth teams in the O-K Silver conference, with 26 points, behind first-place NorthPointe Christian, Hopkins and Calvin Christian. They beat out Belding and Comstock Park. Fruitport finished eighth out of 12 teams at regionals, and standout Mylee Mineni (pictured at the top) became the first Trojan girls golfer to qualify for the state finals.

TOP RETURNERS: For the first time in a few years, the Trojans will have to go forward without Mineni, who was a consistently strong golfer and led the team. But there are others waiting to fill that void. The most promising is sophomore Maddie Anderson, who became the No. 2 golfer on the team last season as a freshman with a conference average score of 53 and an overall average of 55. She just missed earning All-Conference recognition last year and has been working hard in the offseason. Senior Kendall Lee is also a candidate to have a very good season after finishing with a conference average of 59 and an overall average of 61, despite being in her first year in the school golf program.

ALSO BACK ON THE TEAM: Like Lee, senior Ava Powell was a first-time Trojan golfer last year and did well, finishing with a conference average of 66 and an overall average of 69. With a year of experience under her belt, she could take big strides this season. The most experienced golfer on the team, senior Tatum Anderson, is starting her third year of varsity. She had a conference average of 71 last year and an overall average of 70. She could have a very good season and give the Trojans a very well-rounded top four.

NEWCOMERS: The Trojans have four returners, and the top four scores usually count in most high school team events, but a little depth never hurts, in case someone has a really had day. The two new girls on the team – junior Alyssa Carr and sophomore Jayla Pryslek – are the candidates to fill the fifth spot and perhaps push the girls ahead of them.

POTENTIAL STRENGTHS/TEAM CHALLENGES: Head coach Brenda Hansen thinks the Trojans will benefit from having four golfers with at least one year of varsity experience. She says confidence and belief in their abilities will be the biggest challenge for the Trojans.

FIRST COMPETITION: The Trojans will open the season on Friday in a big way, hosting the Fruitport Invitational at Oak Ridge Golf Club. A total of nine teams will be competing.

COACH QUOTE: “I’m excited to see how this season goes for all of the girls and how much they improve.” – Brenda Hansen