A softball player and a three-year varsity golfer, senior Samantha Hayes should guide the Lawrence girls golf team this year.

“Our leadership definitely comes from Samantha Hayes,” coach Mike Lewis said. “She understands the meaning behind being a student-athlete.”

In addition to Hayes, four seniors – Kristen Ohlemeier, Emilie Nikodym, Katie Grom and Courtney Kincaid – fill out the 12-girl team.

They will help replace the void left by departed seniors Jamie Shmalberg and Sydney Wilson. Although Lawrence never won a tournament last year, Lewis said Wilson helped the team become one of three best in its league.

“She was arguably the top golfer in the Sunflower League,” Lewis said. “She had a number of outstanding tournaments and achievements.”

This year the girls have focused on their short game, the shots 150 yards and within.

“That’s where a lot of our strokes add up,” Lewis said.

The team has also spent time on course management, decision making and the rules of the game, including how to play a ball in a hazard and what to do on an out of bounds or lost ball.

“There are so many rules with golf and so many special situations,” Lewis said. “It takes the girls a while to get used those.”

Lawrence high senior Samantha Hays is expected to lead the Lions girls golf squad this season.

That’s especially true for the first-time varsity golfers, and Lawrence features five this year – junior Kylie Waite, junior Hilary Ferguson, freshman Mary Garzilo, senior Katie Grom and junior Erin Thimmesch.

The entire squad has circled Sept. 21 on their calendar. On that date, LHS will host the Lawrence Invitational at Alvamar golf course. The first round of the Sunflower League tournament is an 18-hole event, including 22 golf teams.

“That’s an important tournament for us,” Lewis said.

Lawrence will have the homefield advantage because they practice four days a week at Alvamar. During the weekend, the girls can use the driving range or putting green whenever they choose.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to use Alvamar’s facilities,” Lewis said. “It’s top-of-the-line. We couldn’t ask for a better situation for our girls.”

At crosstown rival Free State High, coach Craig Hershisher knew what kind of team he had when he gathered his girls on the first day of fall practice. He asked them to form a list of goals, and their objectives reflected both performance and camaraderie.

“I was really pleased with the way they responded to that because it wasn’t strictly performance-driven,” Hershiser said. “It was really well thought out.”

The team bonding goals included supporting each other, acknowledging their strong efforts and building friendships while the performance goals focused on earning team medals at tournaments.

Free State High golfers Katy Hoffman and Sally Konzem will captain the Firebirds.

Senior Katy Hoffman, who progressed during the second half of last year’s season, has posted the lowest practice-round scores, including mid-40s scores for nine holes.

“We’re looking for a good performance out of her when we start playing in competition,” Hershiser said.

Four other seniors – Weatherly Butler, Sally Konzem, Desiree Richmond-Zinn and Becca Weinaug – and three newcomers – Butler, Richomond-Zinn and Grace Brahler- join Hoffman on the eight-girl squad. Free State lost only one senior, Ashley Robinson.

During practice at Eagle Bend Golf Course, the team has worked on establishing practice rounds scores, course management, and especially their chipping and putting.

“One of the quickest ways to improve your score is around the green,” Hershiser said. “We want to try and focus on that from the beginning.”

They play their first game tournament, the Topeka West Invitational at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, today and host their only home tournament on Sept. 12 at Eagle Bend.

“We’ve got a pretty competitive tournament field,” Hershiser said. “It’s going to be tough.”

With such a close-knit team, though, Free State should navigate the difficult field.

“We have great kids,” Hershiser said. “They’re quality people.”