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Before the Warsaw girls golf team kicked off the current season, coach Bob Turner would have been surprised to hear that his team would be in the regional at the end of the season.
But they are.
After losing three talented seniors (Keri Wrobel, Lara Reed and Jaci Thallemer) from last year's 15-1 team, the 2001 Tigers have surprised just about everyone this season.
"Honestly, I didn't think we'd make it this far," said Turner. "We lost three seniors last year, and to do what we did this season is great. The girls worked really hard, and we've had a good season. I think at times we have played better than we are capable of."
The Tigers started the season undefeated through 11 games. The Warsaw squad finished the regular season with a 14-2 record and placed third in its own sectional with an overall score of 381. The Tigers edged Goshen, a team they lost to earlier in the season, by one stroke. The other loss was to another Northern Lakes Conference opponent, Plymouth.
While the Tigers have avoided the first sandtrap by getting out of the sectional, they haven't made it to the green yet. The Tigers will have to play some of their best golf of the year to advance from the regional to the state tournament.
"If we can shoot a 375 to 380, I think we will have a chance," said Turner. "I really don't know. On Noble Hawk Golf Course there are three holes that can bite you. If we can stay away from problems on those three holes, I think we'll be alright."
But this is not the first time the Tigers have teed off on Noble Hawk.
"We played an invitational there," said Turner. "And a parent took the girls over to practice (Thursday) because I had parent-teacher conferences."
And Turner has had the girls playing on Stonehenge Golf Course all week to prepare for the links-style course at Noble Hawk.
"We have been practicing ball placement at Stonehenge all week," said Turner. "Stonehenge is more a links-style course than Rozella Ford, so its more similar to Noble Hawk.
"We've got to keep the ball in play. The trouble spot on that course is the back nine. If we want to do well, that ball placement is very important."
In order to advance to the state finals, however, the Tigers must first get by some tough competition. Three of the state's top 20 teams will be hitting the course with the Tigers.
No. 17 Columbia City shot a 371 to win the Warsaw sectional at Rozella Ford. No. 14 Homestead won the Norwell Sectional with a 353 at Parlor City Country Club in Bluffton. And No. 16 Fort Wayne Northrop shot a 342 and placed third at the East Noble Sectional at Cobblestone Golf Course in Kendallville.
Other teams in the regional will be DeKalb, Leo, Norwell, Forst Wayne Bishop Dwenger and Concord.
The Tigers tee off ot 10:30 a.m. at Noble Hawk Golf Course. The top three teams from the regional will advance to the state finals.
