Redbirds Girls Golf Schedule
Tuesday, August 16 - Beloit Scramble, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, August 19 - Westby/Viroqua Invite, 8:30 a.m.
Monday, August 22 - vs. Prairie du Chien, 9 a.m.
Friday, August 26 - Prairie du Chien Invite, 8:30 a.m.
Monday, August 29 - vs. Lancaster, Southwestern 9 a.m.
Tuesday, August 30 - vs. Mount Horeb, 9 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 - at Lancaster, 4 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 12 - vs. Prairie du Chien, Southwestern 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 13 - vs. Lena-Winslow, 4 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 19 - Southwestern Invite, 3:30
Wednesday, Sept. 21 - Conference at Prairie du Chien, 10 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 26 - at Mount Horeb, 3 p.m. 
DARLINGTON - Despite finishing 34th at the WIAA Division 2 state meet last year, Darlington junior Naomi Black didn't have any problem finding something to improve in her golf game.
Black spent a lot of time on the links during the spring after school - and even more this summer - to improve her short game chipping onto the green. She attended a golf camp in Madison and isn't taking anything for granted.
"It motivated me a lot," Black said of qualifying for state last year. "You are not always a shoe-in because you did it last year. Getting back to that level would be amazing."
That journey starts Tuesday when the Redbirds play at the Beloit Scramble with several Division 1 schools. Darlington has three experienced letterwinners returning including senior Shelby Poss, Black and Kayla Paquette. Poss averaged a 51 and Paquette averaged a 59 last year.
"It will be hard to make it to state," said Black, who averaged a 49 last year. "We didn't make it last year and my sister (Nellie) is a really good golfer."
The other returners include: Juniors Marikate Knellwolf, Tina Kurschner, Kaitlyn Wall, Nikki Zimmerman and sophomore Sami Poss. Darlington's junior varsity team went unbeaten last year so there are high expectations.
"There are no beginners on this year's team," said Darlington coach Gary Ringen who has coached golf for 26 years (19 years for boys and seven for girls). "I feel like we can win the conference meet and advance as a team to the sectional and have someone advance to the state meet."
However, the Redbirds will contend with Lancaster for a SWAL title.
"I think it will be an even match up," Black said.
Black said she is working on her short game because it will allow her to cut down on her score in each match.
Ringen said everyone on the team has to focus on iron play from 100-yards out to chipping onto the green because it will save strokes.
Ringen likes the direction the team is headed.
"I am very pleased with the way the girls golf program has developed over the last six years," he said. "The averages have come down each year and the girls are now at a point where they can play and compete with the better programs in the area."
Black spent a lot of time on the links during the spring after school - and even more this summer - to improve her short game chipping onto the green. She attended a golf camp in Madison and isn't taking anything for granted.
"It motivated me a lot," Black said of qualifying for state last year. "You are not always a shoe-in because you did it last year. Getting back to that level would be amazing."
That journey starts Tuesday when the Redbirds play at the Beloit Scramble with several Division 1 schools. Darlington has three experienced letterwinners returning including senior Shelby Poss, Black and Kayla Paquette. Poss averaged a 51 and Paquette averaged a 59 last year.
"It will be hard to make it to state," said Black, who averaged a 49 last year. "We didn't make it last year and my sister (Nellie) is a really good golfer."
The other returners include: Juniors Marikate Knellwolf, Tina Kurschner, Kaitlyn Wall, Nikki Zimmerman and sophomore Sami Poss. Darlington's junior varsity team went unbeaten last year so there are high expectations.
"There are no beginners on this year's team," said Darlington coach Gary Ringen who has coached golf for 26 years (19 years for boys and seven for girls). "I feel like we can win the conference meet and advance as a team to the sectional and have someone advance to the state meet."
However, the Redbirds will contend with Lancaster for a SWAL title.
"I think it will be an even match up," Black said.
Black said she is working on her short game because it will allow her to cut down on her score in each match.
Ringen said everyone on the team has to focus on iron play from 100-yards out to chipping onto the green because it will save strokes.
Ringen likes the direction the team is headed.
"I am very pleased with the way the girls golf program has developed over the last six years," he said. "The averages have come down each year and the girls are now at a point where they can play and compete with the better programs in the area."
