Hiland girls golf team builds foundation in second season

“Keep playing. Golf is hard and frustrating. You just have to keep striving to get better one stroke, one shot at a time. If you do that, it will make you a way better golfer in the long run.”

In many ways that quote from senior Kylie Miller summarizes the story of the Hiland girls golf team in its second year of existence. For Miller, it’s been a dream come true to be part of a girls golf team for the Lady Hawks and to help lay the foundation for the future of the program.

“It’s truly been extremely fun,” she said. “We have so many inside jokes. We have a great time when we are out playing. It's not that serious, and we're always trying to do our best every match we play.”

That mindset has Hiland off to a strong start as it is 4-3 in Inter-Valley Conference play this year. Improving with each round of golf played, a young team that doubled in numbers this fall and is raw in experience is coming along nicely.

“We have a lot of new girls out,” second-year coach Deidra Wiandt said. “Many have never played before, so it makes it challenging at times, but that’s where our foundation is built.”

As for the team's success to start the season?

“I am pretty pleased, especially with it being just our second year,” Wiandt said.

Leading the way are her two seniors, Lilly Klink and Miller, with the latter having experience starting in middle school and two years on the boys team. Klink started golfing a year ago but has really worked to improve her game. Both have taken on leadership roles this year.

“Miller has naturally stepped into that leadership role and has been phenomenal in leading the team to where we are today,” Wiandt said. “Klink has put in a lot of work and is a testament to the younger girls that hard work pays off.”

Over the course of the season, Wiandt has been pleased with the team’s overall growth and improved play — much of which has been spurred by the strength of the other programs already inside the school.

“A lot of the boys trophies are in the hitting facility,” she said. “The girls can’t wait to put one of their own in there. The boys team is amazing, and they drive the girls to want to be close to where they are.”

That was echoed by Miller.

“Playing on the boys team really pushed me,” she said. “It really helped me become a better player, and it taught me to be really focused the whole round.”

A few players who have shone outside of the seniors are junior Lydia Johnson and sophomore Sophie Mullet.

“Sophie and Lydia have been huge for us and have a natural ability for the game,” Wiandt said. “Both are young and have helped us get to where we are now.”

It’s growth like this, the fun times and the smiles that have Miller enjoying being part of her own team. With team success and chasing her own goals locked in, it's clear the Hiland girls golf foundation is being set up nicely.

“It’s been so much fun, and all of us girls have really learned a lot within the last couple of years,” Miller said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to play with the girls the last couple of years, and I just want to finish out strong. I want to make it as far as I can in the playoffs and just keep striving to do better each round.”

In many ways, with a young team that is improving each day, Wiandt is happy to have seniors like Miller and Klink leading the way and setting the pace. Even more importantly, it’s building for tomorrow as the program aims to chase its lofty goals.

“These girls are so much fun,” Wiandt said. “You hate to see the seniors go, but you’re excited for what’s to come. We want to go to state, want to win a state title, but you have to lay that foundation first, and that’s what we’re doing.

“Right now it’s getting to see the game click for them. It’s us getting over the mental part of the game, then seeing the swing mechanics click, seeing their excitement in their eyes. That full circle moment, that’s exciting. That’s fun.”

Click here to view the full photo gallery of the Hiland girls golf team.