Lady Jays to open golf season at Warrensburg Invitational

Christa Kiesling of Jefferson City prepares to hit a tee shot during action last season at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club. Kiesling is one of two seniors on the Lady Jays' roster this season.
Christa Kiesling of Jefferson City prepares to hit a tee shot during action last season at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club. Kiesling is one of two seniors on the Lady Jays' roster this season.

The Jefferson City Lady Jays are going to hit the golf season running.

Instead of a dual or a triangular to give the players a chance to get their feet wet when it comes to competition, the Lady Jays will open the season today at the Warrensburg Invitational.

"My preference is always tournament because it's 18 holes and it's a chance to really see where your game is at," Lady Jays coach Randy Bickel said. "Nine holes can fool you, you can get a false read.

"It's going to be a good challenge to see where we're at, to see if we're actually making the progress I think we're making."

Bickel said the Lady Jays have enjoyed the unseasonably cool temperatures for early August practice.

"Practice has been going well, the ladies have been working hard," he said. "We're seeing progress, there's a lot of potential in this group. It's just a matter of some little things, like course management, that we need to continue to work on so they can play up to their capabilities."

The Lady Jays have a total of 13 players on the roster this season, led by junior Sami Swinfard.

"She's much stronger this season," Bickel said. "Plus she's refined her game, she really knows how to work her way around the golf course.

"We're really looking forward to her having a good year. It's fun to see the maturation process of a player."

Among the other varsity players at the start of the season are senior Lilian Tharp and Christa Kiesling, along with junior Valerie Hurt.

"We've got some players who don't have the required practices in yet who likely will be battling for some varsity spots," Bickel said.

As always, it's the short game that has needed the most work.

"Some days I think we have hit, then the next day we take a couple of steps back and it looks like we've never worked on it," Bickel said. "It's a matter of focus and concentration more than our skill set. But we're working hard on it."

Bickel said the goals are the same as always - win the district tournament to advance to the sectional, then advance from there to the state tournament.

"The hope is the girls' goals are the same," he said. "If we can match up, obviously it will be a successful season."

Levi Elder, the former Blair Oaks standout, has been added as a full-time assistant.

"He's a great asset," Bickel said. "Having him on staff is another pair of eyes at practice, it allows us to get more done and the girls to improve, which is why we're here."

After more than 15 years, this is Bickel's final season as head coach of the Lady Jays.

"This is it," he said. "I'm retiring. It's just time to turn it over to someone who has the energy and the passion and I think Levi is the best person to take the job next season. He has a great way with the young adults.

"Plus it's time to get serious about my game again."

Bickel will lead the Jefferson City boys team next spring before stepping away from coaching.