Sycamore girls golf team on course for another successful postseason
CINCINNATI — For years, the Sycamore High School girls golf team has been a gracious host in its annual early-season tournament, inviting some of the best programs in Southwest Ohio and presenting the trophy to another school.
This year, they were a little greedy.
The Aviators won the Sycamore Invitational for the first time Aug. 8 at Walden Ponds Golf Course in Hamilton, defeating teams such as Centerville, Springboro and Ursuline Academy. Those schools were also the top four in the Division I district tournament last year at Heatherwoode Golf Course in Springboro – Centerville first, Sycamore second, Springboro third and Ursuline fourth.
Seventh-year coach Matthew Starr described the tournament victory as 鈥渁 great way to kick off our season. To win by 27 shots with some of the best teams in our district 鈥� the win was a great boost of confidence for our team.鈥�
Senior Caroline Thompson set a tournament record, shooting a seven-under-par 65. A four-year varsity player, Thompson averaged 37.5 strokes per nine holes last season. Last season, she tied for 34th at the Ohio High School Athletic Association鈥檚 Division I state tournament, shooting a two-round score of 163 on Ohio State University鈥檚 Gray Course.
鈥淐aroline is an extremely hard worker and is always well prepared for each event. She has a solid game all the way around. In golf you have to combine physical skills with mental skills,鈥� Starr said. 鈥淐aroline has continually worked on all aspects of her game to combine these two facets of her game to become one of the best players in our area. Caroline will be a huge asset to a college golf program in the near future.鈥�
Sycamore was seventh overall as a team at state, and all five who competed there are back this season. Sophomore Eva Becerril was the top scorer at state, with a 158 (tied for 20th). Junior Sonali Singla shot 168 (tied for 44th), junior Jenna DeJonckheere shot 169 (51st) and senior Isabella Gollin shot 178 (tied for 62nd).
鈥淓va Becerril is also one of the best players in our area. She was the 2022 GMC Tournament individual medalist. Jenna DeJonckheere has worked really hard to solidify her position on the team and one of the top players in our conference.鈥�
The girls golf postseason begins Oct. 2, with the sectional tournaments. Sycamore is one of 40 schools in the Cincinnati grouping and will play at either Walden Ponds or Hamilton Elks Golf Club. The district tournament is Oct. 12 at Heatherwoode, and the state tournament Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.
Starr said Sycamore鈥檚 goal every year is to win the state tournament.
鈥淲e have an outstanding group of young women that are genuinely great people. They work hard on the golf course, which is evident by their scores, and in the classroom, which is evident by their (grade point average),鈥� he said.
Starr, 45, is a Springfield Township resident, a PGA Certified Professional and head professional at Meadow Links & Golf Academy (Great Parks of Hamilton County) since 2005.
Sycamore girls golf roster
Seniors 鈥� Isabella Gollin, Yeonhwa Jung, Taelyn Rice, Caroline Thompson.
Juniors 鈥� Jenna DeJonckheere, Sonali Singla.
Sophomores 鈥� Eva Becerril, Sahana Singla.
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