The women’s golf team is the third best 4A team in the state of North Carolina, beating some of the top players at Eastern Regionals this year.

Coach Carolyn Rietz led the undefeated team this season, winning the CAP-8 conference championship for the third year in a row.  The team also came in second place out of eighteen teams at the Eastern Regionals.  

“Only so many teams advance,” Rietz said.  “We played well enough to be one of the top three.”

To stay in focused throughout the whole season, the team needs to know the course inside out.  It’s not just about hitting the ball; course management and getting out of traps is key as well.  The team practices every part of the game in order to be ready when it’s time for the actual match.

“Golf is not just about swinging and putting, it’s the little things ” Rietz said.  “We practice for every phase of the game, that in itself builds confidence.  They know when they’re ready to hit that ball.”

What sets this team apart from other teams is their chemistry.  The relationship between Rietz and her players is a strong one.  In essence, the players are out there to have fun and play golf with their best friends.  The only difference is they were able to turn that into something more.

“I love each and every one of them,” Rietz said.  “They aren’t just players to me, they’re family.  I’m serious.”  

The parents play a huge roll in the success of the team as well.  They support the team in any way they can, whether that be volunteering at fundraisers or providing team dinners before or after matches.    

“The parents are very involved,” Rietz said.  “They’re there to help in any way they can with the team and with the players individually.”

It’s not all about the championships and the wins, it’s also about academics.  Rietz gives her players one day a week to keep their grades up.  On Wednesdays, they take a day off golf practice to work on keeping their grades up.  Rietz understands what it’s like to be a student athlete.

“I call them the three A’s,” Rietz said.  “Academics, attitude, and then athletics.  Academics always comes first.”

Senior, Rachel Hulicki is excited about winning another conference championship for her senior year.  Hulicki also wanted the chance to go to states again with her team, which she did.  The team placed second in regionals and third in states, after winning conference championships with an undefeated record.

“I just wanted to have a good season,” Hulicki said.  “I wanted to play as well as possible and make it to states again.”

Rietz wants to recognize everyone on the team, not just top five players.  The team works hard day after day and never get upset when they don’t get to play in the matches.  Not every girl on the team will get to play, but each of them are just as important to the team.

“Even if they don’t get to play in the matches,” Rietz said.  “They’re there to encourage each other, and I’m very proud of all of them.”

Most sports take a large amount of time out of student’s lives.  The players leave early to attend matches, and also miss consecutive days of school in a row for tournaments such as states and regionals.

“They’re leaders on and off the golf course,” Rietz said.  “I am honored to be able to coach and get to know these bright young ladies.”