ROCKINGHAM — The girls’ golf team at Richmond Senior High School starts its season on Monday with a bigger group of players.
Keith Parsons, the team’s head coach, is back for his seventh season. This fall, the Sandhills Athletic Conference schedule will give them more ways to score.
Two of last year’s three players are back for a second year, and the Lady Raiders have added three new golfers this fall.
There aren’t many people in the program yet, but the new players and experienced coaches give the team hope for a good season.
As a senior, Ella Munn will be back for her fourth season as Richmond’s best player. Along with her, senior Jacey McRae, who is back for her third college season, will be there.
Three new players for the Lady Raiders are senior Tess Bryant, freshmen Bayden Bendell and Talley Webb, and junior Bayden Bendell.
“It’s great to have five players this season, two of whom are in ninth grade and have time to get better and grow with the team,” Parsons said.
Richmond will depend on the experience of Munn and McRae to lead, as expected. Parsons also said that the new players on the team have shown potential.
“Ella and Jacey have already shown leadership in the lead-up to the season,” Parsons said. “They’ve done all of this before, so they know what to expect from practice and the season.” And it’s clear that their skills have gotten better, which is great for the new players to see.
I like that Tess, Talley, and Bayden all bring good skills to the team. All of them have played golf and have a lot of promise.
The Lady Raiders have been getting ready for the new season since the middle of August. They have also been practicing before their first game on Monday.
Again this fall, Richmond will only play in SAC games. Every Lady Raider will have a chance to play in every match, and the team’s position will be decided by the scores of the top four players.
She said, “As always, we want to get better every week.” “We’ll have a good season if we can get a little better in every game, both as individuals and as a team.”
“Ella wants to make it to the regional as a four-year starter. She’s been close the last two years and should have a great chance to make it this year.”
Anyone on the Lady Raiders’ team this season will try to be the first girl’s golfer from Richmond to make it to the NCHSAA 4A Mideast regionals since Hailey Miller did it in 2019.
Munn, who has almost made it to regionals every year for the past three years, said she is taking on a bigger leadership role this year as a senior. Aside from that, she also wants to make it and participate in regionals.
“By being a good sport, I hope to set an example,” Munn said. “On and off the golf course, I want to be a person younger girls can look up to.”
“To be more patient with my game and work on my putting are some of my personal goals.” I’ve been working hard during the off-season, and I hope to make it to regionals in my last year.
The Lady Raiders’ first game of the season will be on Monday, September 9, at the nine-hole Scotch Meadows Country Club in Laurinburg. They will be playing against other SAC teams.
RSHS Girls’ Golf Schedule
This fall, the Richmond Observer will keep up its award-winning coverage of the girls’ golf team.