Photo by Cathy Cobbs The Hammond Skyhawk Girls’ Golf Team (l-r): Front Row - Rachel Reeves, Allison Tadlock, Lillie Dukes, and Gabby Metropol; Middle row - Kathryn Taylor, Walden Floyd, Savannah Harwood, Morgan Polans, and Carina Romero; Back Row - Cotter Jenkins, Emily Davis, Coach Fred Wadsworth, Mary Etta Castles, Katharyn Hyatt, and Beth Hooks. Hammond School’s girls’ golf team won its first–ever state championship last week at Hidden Valley Golf Course edging out Heathwood Hall by three strokes, 221–224.

“We got off to a bad start, then played better in the middle, finished strong at the end, and just squeaked by,” said head coach Fred Wadsworth. “It could have gone either way.”

The one–day tournament included Hammond, Heathwood Hall, Trident Academy, and Ashley Hall, but not last year’s champion, Pinewood Prep. Six players represented each team with the top four scores counting for each team’s overall total tally.

The Skyhawks were led by junior Emily Davis, who shot a 51 that day with an extra boost provided by senior Allison Tadlock, who recorded her season’s best score. Significant contributions were also made by senior Casey Peake and sophomores Beth Hooks and Savannah Harwood.

“We knew it was going to be close,” Wadsworth said. “We played Heathwood Hall a lot of times during the regular season, and it was back and forth a lot of the time.”

Wadsworth, a former PGA professional who has completed his second year with the team, also cited Hammond’s tough schedule as great preparation for the state tournament victory.

“We found the best teams around the state and played them,” he said. “Some of them, like A.C. Flora, handed us their hats, but it let us see what the other teams were bringing.”

Last year, the team finished third, one point behind runners–up Heathwood Hall, and Wadsworth said his goal was to build on those standings.

“Really, at the beginning of the season, my goal was to continue to improve, and everyone knew that this tournament was going to be close,” he said. “They clipped us for a point in last year’s state tournament, and it was great to be able to close it out this year.”

Wadsworth said he was impressed with the team’s attitude throughout the year and added he’s already looking ahead to the 2009–10 season.

“From a coaching standpoint, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from this team,” he said. “The girls had great attitudes and were willing to work hard to get better and better.”

And with several young players ready to step up, is there a dynasty starting with Hammond golf? Not so fast, cautioned Wadsworth.

“We have a young team, but so does Heathwood Hall, and they aren’t going away,” he said.