Goodrich- Taylor Harding has hit plenty of golf shots in more than 10 years on the links.
But when Harding and a few high school classmates begin play this fall their shots will end up in the history book.
Later this month Harding and four others will be the first Martian Girls Golf Team. The school board OK’d the team as a club sport during the Aug. 25 meeting.
‘I played on the Goodrich boys? team for my freshman and sophomore years,? she said. ‘I had to hit (the golf ball) from the men’s tees when we played. While frustrating, it really helped me become a better golfer. The boys were very supportive but it was difficult to compete. However, after the spring boys? season, I competed on women’s leagues in the summer and it really gave me an advantage.?
‘I’m really excited about the opportunity and hope to continue on in college golf,? she said.
Dave Davis, athletic director, said he was approached about forming a girls? golf program earlier this year.
‘This proposal had been mentioned on and off a few times in just casual conversations,? he said. ‘After meeting with Ron Harding and then subsequently submitting a proposal to Superintendent Michelle Imbrunone, we were able to move forward with board approval for a girls? golf program. In the past girls who wanted to golf had to do so on their own with no school affiliation or join the boys? team. Competing with the boys? team offered many unique and challenging obstacles, including having to hit from the longer tee box like Taylor.?
Davis said the program will be a club-level program to start’self-funded and will need to organize their own fundraisers and events to offset costs. The district will provide administrative support and other avenues of support as they become available.
Goodrich will be the fourth school in the league to have girls? golf, joining Corunna, Byron, and Durand high schools, which all have programs in place or are starting their programs.
‘We are eager to get things started and offer another opportunity for our student-athletes,? he said. ‘We are lucky to have a large number of student-athletes who have played golf for many years at various recreational and competitive programs. By offering the program, we hope that we can also offer these young ladies the chance to be recognized at the inter-scholastic level as well. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of parents and student-athletes at Goodrich. This involvement has assisted us in laying the foundation for a girls? golf program.?
‘We are excited to offer girls? golf beginning this fall season and are currently in the process of naming a coach, building a roster, and adding dates of competition.?