With only three students on the Etowah girl’s golf team, they are working hard to prepare for each match in the spring season. 

“It [size of the team] affects our team score, but we can still be competitive individually,” Coach Tony Decristofaro said. 

The team practices three days a week and usually has multiple matches each week.  The matches are at various golf courses around Georgia. Etowah’s home course is at Towne Lake Hills East. This year, they will be competing against: Milton, Cherokee, North Forsyth, West Forsyth, Lassiter and Woodstock. The next match is a home game against Woodstock on Mar. 22.  

“Golf is a sport the more you play the game, the better you become,” Decristofaro said. 

Lexie Dawson, senior, has been playing with Etowah’s team since she was in eighth grade, and she recently received a golf scholarship to the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She is the only returning player this year. 

“I like playing on the Etowah golf team because it is a great way to meet new people and make friends,” Dawson said. 

It is Decristofaro’s first year coaching the team. He was previously a football coach. This is also the first year Kerstie Mckinlay, junior, has played golf. Although she is new to the sport, she will use her dedication and practice to improve throughout the season. 

“I’ve played a variety of different sports throughout the years, and I like the fact that with golf, I can compete against myself, as well as others. I enjoy competitive sports in general because they’re challenging, and there is always room for improvement while practicing to the best of your ability. I think there are a lot of opportunities for one that does well at golf,” Mckinlay said. 

It is Decristofaro’s first year coaching golf. However, this is not his first year as a sports coach. He was previously a football coach at Milton High School for 6 years, but he coached football for a total of 34 years. He currently teaches physical education. 

“My first year has been great. The girls are receptive and motivated to play,” Decristofaro said. 

Despite the small team and new players, the girls will work hard to succeed this season.