Pictured are members of the inaugural RHS women’s golf team. (L to R): Ashton Moore, Carley Grace McCalpin, Asst. Coach Hagen Price, Josie Willis, Morgan Moon, and Macy Reeves. Photo by Randy Seal.

By Randy Seal

For the FCT

Russellville High School is tapping into their resources of talented athletes with the creation of a women’s golf team for the 2014 season.

For the past several golf seasons, Russellville has always had one or two girls to play on the golf team but AHSAA requires that a team be made up of 3-4 players and only the top 3 player’s score count in a match.

This year the female golfers will have their own team as RHS will be represented by a five-member team consisting of sophomore Macy Reeves, eighth grader Ashton Moore, seventh grader Morgan Moon, seventh grader Josie Willis and seventh grader Carley Grace McCalpin.

“I think it’s great for Russellville to be represented by a girl’s team,” RHS golf coach Jason Haithcock said.

“It has always saddened me that we only had one or two girls and they couldn’t compete as a team. I think this year’s inaugural team has a perfect combination of youth and ability to grow together as a team.

“We have a super young group of girls that will be competing against high schools across the state and these ladies have already shown they are willing to work, and in such a short amount of time the work is already visible.”

The RHS ladies team finished third out of four teams on Monday in their first match and were all smiles when it was over.

“I think the parents were very surprised of how the girls competed and they could see how far they have come in such a short time,” Haithcock said.

“When opposing coaches tell you after a match that your team will be something to deal with in a year or two, then it makes everyone feel good.”

Hagen Price, who has two straight championship appearances and is a four-year captain, will be assisting the girls this year. “Hagen is a phenomenal leader and is one of the most patient young men I have ever met,” Haithcock said.

“He had asked me about helping last summer and when I talked to him about starting a girl’s team, he kind of lit up. That’s just who Hagen is – he loves a challenge and the opportunity of building something from the ground up is right up his alley.

“Our goals are fairly simple this year: First, complete a season as a team; second, continue to improve each week by bringing down our team score; third, get that first win in RHS history; and finally, be proud of what we accomplished.”

The Lady Golden Tigers came close to achieving that first win at their match at Twin Pines County Club on Monday.

The RHS girls had a team score of 171, just two strokes behind Haleyville’s winning score of 169. Colbert Heights posted a 187 and Tharptown posted a 193 in the match.

Individually, Morgan Moon shot a 54 and Ashton Moore shot a 56.