DARLINGTON - The Darlington girls golf program will begin a new era today when an inaugural co-op with Cuba City tees off at the Prairie du Chien Invitational.
Darlington-Cuba City coach Gary Ringen is excited about the partnership. Ringen, who started the Darlington boys golf program and coached 22 years, is in his fourth year coaching girls golf.
"We are probably one of the smallest schools in the state to have golf," Ringen said. "In golf that can equal out with the players."
The Prairie du Chien Invitational is the first chance to see the fruits of offseason labor.
"This will be a good test to see how these girls played over the summer," Ringen said.
The top returning golfers include senior Dani Larson and sophomore Nellie Black, the Redbirds' No. 2 golfer last year, who is expected to be No. 1 this year.
Ali McCauley is the lone golfer from Cuba City who is expected to play a big role.
"I think she is probably our No. 2 golfer behind Nellie," Ringen said.
The Redbirds will rely on junior Taylor Burke, senior Erica Leahy and freshman Shelby Poss for the final two spots.
The Redbirds finished fifth at the regional tournament last year, which was one spot from qualifying for the sectional.
The Redbirds will find out early on how they stack up with dual matches against Lena-Winslow and Prairie du Chien before the Viroqua Invitational next week.
"It's possible we may get in the top four this year," Ringen said. "Our goal is to be a better golfer at the end of the year. That has held through the last few years.
"I just think overall they just need to become more consistent to get strokes off their scores."
Darlington-Cuba City coach Gary Ringen is excited about the partnership. Ringen, who started the Darlington boys golf program and coached 22 years, is in his fourth year coaching girls golf.
"We are probably one of the smallest schools in the state to have golf," Ringen said. "In golf that can equal out with the players."
The Prairie du Chien Invitational is the first chance to see the fruits of offseason labor.
"This will be a good test to see how these girls played over the summer," Ringen said.
The top returning golfers include senior Dani Larson and sophomore Nellie Black, the Redbirds' No. 2 golfer last year, who is expected to be No. 1 this year.
Ali McCauley is the lone golfer from Cuba City who is expected to play a big role.
"I think she is probably our No. 2 golfer behind Nellie," Ringen said.
The Redbirds will rely on junior Taylor Burke, senior Erica Leahy and freshman Shelby Poss for the final two spots.
The Redbirds finished fifth at the regional tournament last year, which was one spot from qualifying for the sectional.
The Redbirds will find out early on how they stack up with dual matches against Lena-Winslow and Prairie du Chien before the Viroqua Invitational next week.
"It's possible we may get in the top four this year," Ringen said. "Our goal is to be a better golfer at the end of the year. That has held through the last few years.
"I just think overall they just need to become more consistent to get strokes off their scores."
