Even after losing one of its top five from last season's Northern 4A Regional Championship squad, the Douglas High girls' golf team was still going to be in solid shape heading into 2008.
And then the team was dealt a fortuitous break.
Four words: Play six, keep four.
In order to account for the recent downturn in girls' golf participation, teams will still be allowed to play up to six players in league tournaments, but only four scores will be counted.
What it means regionally is smaller programs like Hug, Wooster and North Valleys will have a better chance at fielding a team as they'll only need a minimum of four players.
For Douglas though, a team that was already returning four of its top five, it means that the loss of Katie Gettman to graduation is effectively rendered moot.
"The change will definitely help," fourth-year Douglas coach Steve Gustafson said.
"We have a solid returning core of four and they have all been working hard over the summer. Each one played exceptionally well in the Northern Nevada Junior Golf Association tournaments. They're all shooting in the 70s and 80s. I feel like we have another run in us."
Leading the group will be sophomore Bethany Wurster, who won last year's individual regional title.
Wurster had a busy summer schedule, posting strong scores at the Callaway Junior Worlds in San Diego and playing on the Northern Nevada team at the Junior Americas Cup in Calgary, Canada.
"At those tournaments it's tough, because all the girls there are shooting 69s or 70s," Wurster said. "It kind of wants to make you go home. You just have to keep it in your mind that you have to keep working at it, because that could be you one day."
Junior Heather Henderson enters the year as the team's No. 2 golfer and one of the most powerful drivers in the region.
Gustafson said senior Shelby Louie has come on exceptionally strong over the summer and could be a surprise to other teams around the region.
"I've just been trying to work on my game," Louie said. "I'm shooting well, so that is good. Mostly I've been working on my short game, so hopefully that will pay off."
Fellow senior Michele Nikkels has also been putting in her time on the course over the summer and is hoping ultimately to land herself a roster spot in a college program next year.
"I think since we did so well last year, everyone is kind of expecting the same for us," Nikkels said. "If we just go out and play our game, we should be fine."
Henderson said the team's ultimate goal is to improve upon their runner-up finish at state last season.
"Our attitude hasn't changed," Henderson said. "We were a little off at state last year, and I think all of us have been working hard to improve on that."
The lone newcomer this year is junior Annika Crowe, a converted gymnast who has shown early promise.
"She's surprised me," Gustafson said. "She's only been playing a month and a half, but she hits the ball really, really well. She'll fit the five spot better than we have had in the past."
Crowe said she's just trying to keep up.
"The team is pretty good," she said. "They are all very welcoming, but it will take me a while to catch up with them. I want to do as good as I can for them."
