There is a new face leading the Carson High girls golf team, and he's excited to be there.
Jeff Rispin takes over the reins of the girls and boys golf programs from Terry Gingell, who has departed for Stanford University.
"I'm excited," said Rispin, a member of the CHS faculty. "I always told them that if Terry were to leave I'd be interested.
"We have a bunch of real nice girls on this year's team."
Rispin has worked at golf courses for 14 years, and though he isn't a PGA Class A Professional like Gingell, he is an avid golfer who shoots in the 80s.
Fortunately for Rispin, the cupboard isn't bare.
Three starters from last season - senior Megan Justice, sophomore Heather Evans and senior Ali Vondrak - are back in the fold this year.
Seniors Kristen Good, Kahlia Wahppepah and Samantha McCarty plus freshman Taylor Krupp and sophomores Callen Aten and Ashley Andreas will compete for the three open starting spots.
Rispin knows that for his team to have any success, Justice, Vondrak and Evans will have to carry the load. In girls golf, each team fields six players and the best four scores count.
"All three have some distance off the tee, they all play junior golf during the summer and they all know the game," Rispin said. "They understand the concept of yardage. They are going to be the top three and everybody else will fight for the next three spots. Megan has a pretty swing. Heather hits the ball real well."
Rispin believes that all three players are capable of shooting in the 80s.
Courses are traditionally set up much shorter, and if they can be consistent low scores will follow.
"They should be able to be in the 80s," Rispin said. "I made them walk the West course (at Eagle Valley) the other day and all three were in the 40s for nine holes. I think they can definitely do it."
Two new players - Ashley Andreas and Taylor Krupp - are showing potential but like many new players they don't have the consistency yet.
"Taylor has a lot of potential," Rispin said. "I'm looking for her to step up. I'm pretty sure Taylor will make some tournaments this year.
"Ashley gets some distance when she hits it right. She has the six lowest posted scores, and I'm pretty happy with that."
One of the things that Rispin is trying to do is create more competition during the week to see who makes it for the weekly tournaments.
Rispin said that he may use several formulas to decide on a starting lineup each week.
"I want to initiate more competition," he said. "If somebody shoots 85 or lower, depending on what course it is, they may have a spot for the next week. We have nine girls competing for a spot in the lineup."
The goals will remain the same - weekly individual improvement and to qualify for regionals and state as a team.
As individuals, Justice, Evans and Vondrak should at least qualify for regionals as individuals if Carson doesn't make it as a team.
