FAYETTEVILLE -- As golf coach at Fayetteville, Scott Williams knows the expectation at the end of the day is always the same. This year more than ever before, however, Fayetteville's goal of state championship success is obvious.
Both Fayetteville teams are coming off Class 7A state championships last year. For the Lady Bulldogs, the most recent title was its eighth in the last nine seasons and gave the Fayetteville girls the most golf championships in state history. Meanwhile, the boys recorded their first championship since 2004 with last year's win and only look stronger this fall.
Fayetteville Golf Schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 5^at Springdale Har-Ber Lady Wildcat Invitational^10 a.m.
Aug. 6^at Springdale Bulldog Invitational^10 a.m.
Aug. 12^Rogers High^3:30 p.m.
Aug. 19^Rogers High^3:30 p.m.
Aug. 26^Springdale High/Siloam Springs^3:30 p.m.
Aug. 28^at Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 2^Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 4^at Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 9^Fort Smith Southside^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 11^at Shiloh Christian^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 15^at Rogers High^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 16^at Van Buren^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 23^Van Buren^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 24^at Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 29-Oct. 1^Class 7A Girls Tournament at West Memphis^TBD
Oct. 6-8^Class 7A Boys Tournament at North Little Rock^TBD
"A lot of coaches don't like to talk about how good they could be," Williams said. "But our boys team, top to bottom, is as talented as we've had since I've been here."
Junior Luke Long anchors the Bulldogs. He won the 7A state tournament medalist honors and then was champion at the overall state tournament last season. The NWA Media Golfer of the Year will be joined by senior Matt Cole.
"They're our lead horses right there," Williams said. "When you've got guys like that as your top two guys with experience like they have, that's tough to beat."
The Bulldogs might feature a pair of top individual golfers in the state in Long and Cole, but the biggest strength of the team could be its overall depth. Sophomore Palmer Hays gained valuable experience as a freshman and will push for one of the top spots after a strong summer. Senior Andrew Elsass is focusing just on golf after playing football earlier in his career, and junior John Gibson also pushed for varsity playing time a year ago.
"I felt like we had a strong team last year and we knew we had a chance to win state," Williams said. "But this is kind of the year we've been pointing to. We just have so much depth. Our three, four and five guys could be different every match."
Senior Jake Myers will also battle for varsity action and junior Jake Warner is in his second year at Fayetteville after previously winning a state golf title at Central Arkansas Christian as a freshman.
"(Today) starts a new year," Williams said. "We've got to start a new journey and hopefully we'll get back to the same point where we were last season and maybe even bigger."
Fayetteville Girls
The Lady Bulldogs return three players from last year's state title team. But as has been the case each of the last three seasons, Fayetteville girls golf begins with Anna Grace Lavy.
Now a senior, the three-time NWA Media Player of the Year will be counted on to carry a big load as the Lady'Dogs shoot for another championship. But Williams is hopeful that Lavy won't have to do it all by herself, as both Reagan Gates and McKenzie Kley return as well.
"Anna Grace is definitely our team leader," Williams said. "But it takes three scores in a state tournament and I'm looking for a big improvement from those other girls."
Seniors Katelin Campbell and Olivia House and junior Kendall Vermilion will also have a chance to contribute.
"Our goal is to win state and it's nothing that we shy away from," Williams said. "It started well before I got here. The foundation has been laid and we just want to keep the run going."
Sports on 08/04/2014