By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

On the heels of a fourth-place finish at the Class 5A state golf tournament last season, the Skyline Eagles are excited to build on the strong showing.

Head coach Kenney James has some talented, experienced golfers to work with.

As a team, the Eagles shot 709 at last season’s state tournament, just seven strokes behind the third-place finishers, Alta. Skyline was well ahead of fifth-place Brighton and was the highest-finishing team from Region 6. 

James has little reason to believe his squad can’t once again rule the region and contend at state.

“We have five experienced golfers coming back, so we have some strong goals: Win the region championship; put five or six girls on the All-Region team; and go to state, compete, play well, maybe shoot our best and finish in the top five or so,” James said. “We would like all our golfers to improve and shoot our best scores, and make some birdies and eagles.”

James is excited to see what senior veterans Denali Zebelean, Skylee Child and Bella Feinauer do for an encore this season. The trio is part of a group of eight seniors on the squad. 

“We have some experienced talented players; they show toughness, hard work and great attitude,” James said. “This a super coachable group that is fun to be around. I will really enjoy watching them develop and compete.”

Skyline’s top returning player is junior Claire Whisenant, who was 10th in individual honors last year at state when she shot a 164 in the two-day event. Sophomore Asiana Le was third on the team at state a freshman last season, shooting a 186, good enough for a top-25 finish. 

“(Whisenant) and (Le) helped carry us last year,” James said. 

The Eagles will face stiff competition in Region 6 from West and Murray, both of which will field good teams, James said. He also said he needs some players to emerge and fill some varsity spots to add quality depth to the team. The players are all eager for the season to get in full swing.

“We will be searching for some more varsity golfers who will take those spots and become the golfers we all want to see,” he said. “Watching their hard work pay off as they play and excel. The girls are really excited and are champing at the bit to get on the course.”

For James, satisfaction as a coach comes not just from watching the girls perform on the course but seeing them become model students and residents of the community. He’s confident that their work ethic and positive attitude will lead to positive results this season. 

“We have such amazing girls who do so many great things in their lives: sports, school, in the community through service, with their various church groups,” he said. “What I enjoy most is watching them compete and become successful women who go on to do great things. If we work hard, we will accomplish our goals, compete hard and play our best. That's all a coach can ask.”