The Notre Dame Academy girls’ golf team began its season with a meet in Milwaukee two weeks ago. 

Led by Brian Bobinski, math teacher and multi-sport coach, the team has already participated in its first few varsity meets.

“Every experience is a potential learning opportunity,” said Coach Bobinski in reflecting  on the start of the season.

This year’s varsity lineup so far includes Eloise Van Handel, Kara Hudson, Tory Hagen, Leksi Brice, Abby Rupp and Cece Mehlberg. With only two returning players with varsity experience, this season is a fresh start for most of the team. 

Kara Hudson has taken on the “one spot,” a leadership position with high expectations. The sophomore has shot a personal best, something achieved by the majority of the team.

“Kara’s playing number one, and she’s doing a great job in that spot. Abby and Lexi are also off to strong starts. We’ve seen personal bests all around,” said the coach.. 

The team has shown consistent improvement in the first two weeks of the season, with scores dropping each meet as players continue to get better. 

“The team score has improved every meet,” Coach Bobinski added.

Junior Varsity meets are scattered throughout the season to give the program more practice and experience to those who need it. There is no set JV and Varsity. Players are rotated in as needed. 

Playoffs are set to start on the last Tuesday in September. Next up, the team starts a busy week with the next three meets being on Tuesday in Sheboygan, Wednesday in Madison for a state preview with some of the best competition in the state, and then Thursday for the conference meet.

“I’m excited to see how my team progresses and to keep setting goals for myself each meet and reaching them,” said Rupp, a freshman player who has gotten a lot of varsity time so far this year. 

“Grow quickly, compete in conference, try to get to state, and do the best we can are always goals,” said the veteran coach.

No matter how the season takes its course, the NDA girls’ golf team has its path set.