Support the Timberjay by making a donation.

Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Senior trio leads repeat quest

Patrick Slack
Posted 4/26/17

FIELD TWP - North Woods went on a magical run to the state tournament last year, playing its strongest golf when it mattered most.

Five of the six golfers from that team are back this spring, …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Senior trio leads repeat quest

Posted

FIELD TWP - North Woods went on a magical run to the state tournament last year, playing its strongest golf when it mattered most.

Five of the six golfers from that team are back this spring, including the leading senior trio of Kristen Lilya, Kate Beaudry and Ashley Vito.

“Our seniors are the glue that binds us together as a team,” North Woods girls head coach Kandi Olson said. “They each bring different strengths to each practice and meet. Most people think of golf as an individual sport.

“However, when you have a team competing, the players go out on the course individually, but during the meet they know that every stroke they take can affect the team outcome. Sometimes that can be very stressful, but these seniors have really helped everyone focus while keeping the stress level to a minimum.”

While the focus has shifted to this season, last year’s state tournament run will not soon be forgotten.

“Going to the state tournament last year was an unforgettable experience,” Vito said. “Golfing there was a great opportunity for us to improve our game and to spend time together as a team. I had never experienced anything like it, and I loved being a part of it.”

“Making it to state last year was incredible,” Beaudry said. “I’m so glad I got to experience it with the girls I did; they are some of my closest friends. It was a brand new experience for me and I am so thankful I was able to be a part of it.”

“It was amazing making it to state as a team,” Lilya said. “I think the girls and I enjoyed the whole experience from day one of the practice round to the final holes of the last day. I know it’s something that I will always remember.”

Thanks to last year’s section championship, the Grizzlies already know what needs to be done to make it to the state level once again.

“Those girls played some of their best rounds of the season to help the team qualify for state last year,” Olson said. “It was very exciting for them to have it all come together at the right time.”

While that experience should help this season, the group isn’t letting it change the way it approaches this spring.

“Yes and no,” Beaudry said. “I definitely don’t want to be arrogant because we have some amazing competitors. However, I do feel more confident that I will be able to better handle the stress of sections and state this year and will be able to focus on my game more than the pressure I might feel.”

“It’s always a nice feeling getting over the pressure of the state tournament,” Lilya said. “I think all of the girls by the second day had gotten used to all the extra people around. Heading into this season, I don’t really see a difference at all. We practice and work hard to push ourselves and teammates everyday.”

“After playing at state last year, I feel more confident in my ability to play under pressure, as state is definitely an entirely different experience than any other tournament,” Vito said. “However, I think that the biggest impact that state had on our team is our motivation. After seeing what we could accomplish last year, we want to continue to work hard and improve our game this season.”

All three golfers have also worked hard to develop their games through the years.

“Each of these girls started off as novice golfers in their own way,” Olson said. “Every year they have grown as golfers. This year alone I’ve noticed a strength difference in many of the players, but mainly, I’ve noticed a mental difference. Golf is such a tough mental game and the seniors’ mental game has changed dramatically over the years. I’m excited to see how they progress over the season.”

Now the trio has a shot at one more season of high school golf. Yet while the Grizzlies’ sights are set on making a state run, they also want to simply focus on what they can control.

And if they can manage that, it should take them far.

“I know that all of my teammates will do fantastic this year,” Beaudry said. “They’ve been putting in so much work, in the beginning of this season and in the offseason. Whether it takes us to the state tournament or not, I just want the girls to focus on enjoying the sport and having a season they will be proud of, knowing that they did their best.”

“All I expect from the team is that they’ll work as hard as they can,” Lilya said. “That’s all you can really ask for. If that hard work brings us back to the tournament, that’s great; if not, I won’t see these hard-working girls any different.”

“Our team has already been working hard to make this a great season,” Vito said. “All we can do is put in our best effort and play the game. We would love to be able to experience state again, but however our season turns out, I will be proud of my team.”