When Miners junior varsity golf team founder Jenny MacDougall took over the varsity team from longtime head coach George Murphy, she understood her team would be under a magnifying glass.
Murphy led the team to state titles in 13 seasons, before moving into a more administrative role at Park City High School. He still coaches the Miners girls team, who are the defending state champions.
MacDougall found success in her first year at the helm, leading Park City to third place at state last fall. She assumed a team last season which had graduated five of their six state players. Individual state champion Rawson Hardy was part of that graduating bunch, wrapping up his school work a year early to join Georgia Tech’s team.
MacDougall said third place finishes at state, while impressive, aren’t the standard Murphy set for the program. She believes this year’s team, which returned four of their six state players, may just have what it takes to reach the mountaintop once more. The Miners won their home regional match at Park City Golf Course on Sept. 3.
“The team is doing really well right now,” MacDougall said. “I like what we’re working with. … That was the first time that we’ve actually come in first at home in two years, so pretty significant. A big momentous win for the kids.”
Seniors Graham Morgan and Linus Einum are part of the returning group from last year’s state team. They led the efforts in the home win, shooting 73 and 75, respectively.
“Linus Enum has been fantastic,” MacDougall said. “He’s been a returning varsity player several years now and a state competitor. He is probably our No. 1 contributor to the team right now. Some other repeat players from varsity and state last year that are also contributing are Dane Hays, who’s a junior, Hudson Darmstandler, he’s also a junior, and then Graham Morgan, who is a senior.”
As proof of her team’s strong depth, MacDougall also mentioned a breakout round of 74 from varsity newcomer and Park Record photo intern Jack Casebolt at the Miners’ most recent meet at River Oaks Golf Course in Sandy. Depth plays to her teams’ advantage, she said, because only top scores are counted at meets, so the more good scores, the better. Park City finished second to East, one of the top teams in 4A Region 8 alongside the Miners, at River Oaks last Wednesday.
“I think (Casebolt) is really settling into the regional tournaments and feeling comfortable,” MacDougall said. “And it shows. … He’s very talented.”
Park City had three more regional meets, including Thursday’s at Meadow Brook Golf Course in Taylorsville, and a regional championship before the state meet on Oct. 14 and 15 at Palisade Golf Course in Sterling. MacDougall believes having her players stay focused and committed to the game, even outside of the team’s practices and meets, will be a key to success at state.
“Just to stay in a rhythm and stay connected with the game,” MacDougall said. “If we can stay connected like that, it’s really going to help when you’re in a competitive setting. It puts it in perspective and reminds you that you have to battle for each stroke out there because it is all that matters.”
MacDougall said she’s always believed in this team’s ability to lift the championship trophy. She believes stacking strong results recently has the players starting to believe like she does.