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John Reichanadter

Assistant girls golf coach Bobby Chin watches junior Claire Thompson chip on to the practice green.

Coach Dave Patz knows what it will take for his girls golf team to advance past regionals this weekend.

“In order for us to make it out of the regional and advance to the state, every girl will need to play better than their current average, on a course that is a little more difficult than the sectional course, but it can be done,” Patz said.

The Giants tee off at the Smock Regional Saturday at 9 a.m. They advanced to the regionals by shooting a 339 at South Grove to finish second as a team.

The Smock Regional features state powers Carmel, Avon and Roncalli. Ben Davis finished with an 11-2 meet record and shot a 180 over nine holes in its only appearance at Smock this season. Regionals are played over 18 holes and the top three teams and top five individuals advance to the state finals.

“At sectional, we shot our best overall score of the year,” Patz said. “I was very happy with the 339 that we posted as a team.  Three girls, Claire Thompson (77), Ellie Neff (82) and Sarah Gaither (83) all played well.”

The Giants have overcome a season-ending injury to senior captain Madyson Elmore to make it to regionals. Elmore was sidelined with a wrist injury and has missed the last three weeks of the season.

Juniors Thompson and Neff have been the Giants most consistent players this season. Sophomore Aminah El-Abiad stepped into the lineup when Elmore was sidelined and freshman Danielle Fishburn rounds out the varsity squad.

“We still miss Madyson in terms of leadership and play, yet the other girls have continued to get better,” Patz said. “Aminah has replaced Madyson in the lineup and has played better than expected.”