Christy Flom ’13 | Managing Copy Editor

Defending a state title is always considered difficult, but the girl’s golf team is dealing with huge changes; the most notable being a new head coach.

Social studies teacher Michael Rennell took over the golf team this season. Rennell has coached cross-country, track and field and soccer teams in the past, but said this was his first time coaching golf. Finding out he got the job on August 3, only four days before tryouts and a week before the team’s first tournament, Rennell had to work quickly to get everything in order for the team.

“The biggest challenge was just getting everything organized,” said Rennell. “We had to find a home course and schedule tournaments in a short period of time.”

Third year varsity player Lily Pendy ’13 is excited to play for coach Rennell and believes that another state championship is a reachable goal for the team.

“All of the girls seem very optimistic about the coach, and I have total confidence that coach Rennell can lead us to another state championship,” said Pendy. “After losing two key seniors last year and winning states with them, this year is going to be tough, but I think coach Rennell will help motivate each player to achieve their goals.”

Rennell said he hopes to get the team right back to where they were last year. While there is still a long road ahead of them, he has high expectations for the season.

“We want everyone reaching new personal bests and that takes practice,” said Rennell. “The team needs to shoot with their heads and not just their physical abilities.”

Hannah Buzolits ’13 said she is going to miss the old coach but is happy to play for someone new.

“We picked up right where we left off last season,” said Buzolits. “Coach Rennell knows a lot about the game and is teaching us helpful tips.”

Starting off strong, the team won their first match on Thursday, Aug. 16 against Romeo and placed fifth in their first tournament on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

“A lot of teams are going to be gunning for us this year and I think we just have to try our best and compete at the level I know we are capable of playing,” said Tenley Shields ’12.

Utica will be the biggest match this year, Pendy said. That team has three of the top players in Michigan and will be a formidable opponent.

“We just have to go into that match with a positive attitude and we can have a good outcome if we stay focused and patient,” said Pendy.

Golf is definitely a game of strategy, Rennell added. As a coach, the most rewarding part of the game is being able to help the girls improve their game strategies and watch them learn.

Overall, the players and families have adjusted well, Rennell said. The parents have been highly receptive, and everyone has a positive attitude and are looking forward to a great season.

“The great attitudes are contagious at practice,” said Rennell. “Assistant coach Rob McIntyre has been a huge help, too. There is no ‘I’ in team and he deserves a ton of credit for helping to coach this team.”

Next, the team competes on Thursday against Romeo in a home match at 1 p.m.