HOPE – Hope High School Bobcat Golf Coach Bryce Cash is pleased with the improvement his boys and girls golf teams have shown in a season overshadowed by the COVID-19 health crisis.

“One of the highlights of the season has been us being able to have a season and being able to play in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cash quipped.

But, with a team light on experience, Cash said the Bobcat and Ladycat golfers have accepted the challenge.

“The players have improved throughout the year and are working each day to get better,” he said. “Every player has shot a lower score throughout the season than their first match, so they are showing improvement.”

With two seniors, one sophomore, two juniors and two freshmen, the experience relationship does not equate to each player directly.

Seniors Jared Santifer and Emily Miller each have four years of experience, and sophomore Calvin Haynes has a corresponding two years of experience. But, juniors Richard Ware and Ashlyn Courtney are both first-year players, as are freshmen Dallas Corbett and Payton Rhodes.

But, the lack of experience has not mattered, Cash notes.

“The most improved player, so far, would be Richard Ware, who has dropped his score by about 10 strokes,” he said.

The overall sense of improvement is important at this juncture for the HHS squad after matches against Arkadelphia, Malvern, Nashville, DeQueen and Prescott, and hosting a home course match at the Hope Country Club.

“We are just over half way through the season,” Cash said. “Our eyes are now focused on improving for the district tournament.”

With practice rounds for district set for Sept. 21, followed by district play Sept. 23 at Malvern Country Club, the Cats and Ladycats are away at Magnolia on Sept. 10, and host Camden-Fairview and Taylor at home on Sept. 15, before playing the final regular season match at Malvern on Sept. 17.