"OK for first meet" Hayes says of performance at Bayard

The Creek Valley Storm girls golf team opened its season at Chimney Rock Golf Course in Bayard yesterday with just one varsity player.

On another day of sweltering heat, junior Tabetha Hayes battled the elements to card a 124. As if temperatures exceeding 90 degrees were not challenge enough, Hayes pulled a muscle in her back on the fifth hole. She nevertheless, played on to finish the round with a solid score.

Since only one player teed it up for Creek Valley, the Storm had no team score.

"It started out really bad but overall I think it was OK for the first meet of the season," Hayes said. "As the day went on things got a little better."

As for her bad start Hayes was referring to the 10 she carded on her first hole. She actually started out on the fourth hole in the shot-gun start. The fourth is a long par 5 with out of bounds down the entire left side - a challenging hole to have to start the season on.

"I drove the ball pretty well and I felt good chipping and putting," Hayes said. "I need to work on my irons though. I have to hit them straighter."

Two other Storm players, freshmen Maddie Johnson and Alexis Olson were kept out of the opening meet. Coach Cyd Hanson wants to hold the pair back so they can gain a little more experience. Instead of playing, Hanson and the freshmen followed Hayes around to get an idea of what participating in a match was about.

"They're improving all the time so I'm hoping to be able to play them at Kimball," Hanson said. "They're not confident in their skills yet but that continues to grow."

As for Hayes, Hanson was pleased with her veteran.

"I think she was very good around the greens," Hanson said. "I liked the way she kept herself together after the bad start. I was proud of her for the way she was able to turn it around."

The Kimball meet at Four Winds Golf Course is scheduled for Sept. 19. The Four Winds course may be a good venue for Creek Valley as Hayes medaled there last year.

Before Kimball, the Storm will host the Creek Valley Invite next Thursday and travel to Mitchell the following Thursday.