Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

One of the challenging parts of high school golf is playing a variety of different courses that all have different challenges. So while the Western Boone girls golf team picked up a pair of easy victories over Clinton Prairie and Clinton Central on Thursday night, the biggest takeaway was how the Stars handled a difficult Deer Track Golf Course that presented some unique challenges. "It was an extremely tight, narrow course with a lot of trees everywhere," Western Boone head coach Jason Smith said. "It put a paramount on keeping the ball straight, and overall we did a pretty good job of that and keeping it in play. The scores reflected that." Western Boone shot a 179, bettering Clinton Prairie's 267. Clinton Central was incomplete with only three available players. With the unequal numbers from the teams, two of the three pairings were able to have multiple Western Boone players in them. Smith said especially early in the season, that is helpful to have a familiar face out there on the course. "It definitely makes the round more comfortable and you are more relaxed out there," he said. "You aren't putting as much pressure on yourself, because it's just like going out with your friends and playing some golf." Ally Lewis was the meet medalist, shooting a 3-over 39. Jada Scott shot a 41, Lexi Gregg fired a 43 and Rylee Pelley had a 56 for the Stars. Ainsley Thompson shot a 58 as the fifth score. "Ally hit the ball great today," Smith said. "She hit seven or eight greens in regulation, but her putting let her down a little bit. But she hit the ball really well and that was good to see." Putting and short game was an issue throughout the day for the Stars, as can be expected in the early part of the season as players get used to getting back on the course. That will be a focus in the next couple of days as the Stars get ready for a match on Tuesday against Lebanon at Cool Lake. "It's definitely going to be a lot of work on short game," Smith said when asked what the Stars need to work on. "All five girls that played would agree that they left some strokes out there chipping and putting. That's something we will definitely be working on." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on X @Will_Willems.