Once the 6A girls’ golf regionals begins today at Stagg Hill Golf Course in Manhattan, Lawrence High and Free State High should be familiar with the course.

With any luck.

Each school prepared for the eight-team tournament by playing the course before today. The Firebirds, with the exception of senior Bree Beasley, traveled to Manhattan last Thursday for practice rounds, while LHS stayed in Manhattan on Sunday night after getting in an early practice round.

“What we’ll do is make some mental notes, and hopefully be ready,” LHS coach Mike Lewis said

The Lions, third at last Monday’s Sunflower League tournament, have state-caliber players in freshmen Sydney Wilson and Jamie Shmalberg, both of whom were in the top five last Monday. Kelly Jacob, Diane Riat and Whitney Juneau are the other possible state qualifiers.

For Free State, senior Ashley Johnson, a state qualifier last year, is the Firebirds’ best shot. Erin Harrison, Kym Scafe and Jaclyn Morgenstern could make some noise, but Johnson’s the big ticket.

“She shot a 91 at a course that’s probably comparable to Stagg Hill,” FSHS coach Steve Grant said. “She’d be the first one to tell you she doesn’t hit it that far, but I think Stagg Hill’s a little shorter. She hits it pretty straight, so trees shouldn’t be a problem.”

Grant said favorites to claim the team title were Washburn Rural and Manhattan. Topeka West, Topeka High, Highland Park and Shawnee Heights round out the field.