PENDLETON — Hilary Slick is entering her third year as the head coach of the Pendleton Heights High School girls golf team.

While it’s early in the season, Slick said she thinks her third year of leading the Arabians could be the charm — the best year yet.

The team, which plays its home matches at Fall Creek Golf Course, 250 Reformatory Road, Pendleton, consists of seven players: Senior Courtney Dawson, junior Danielle Tinsley, sophomores Ryann Norris and Aubrey Fisher, and freshmen Grace Wiggins, Kaylee McKenney and Kaitlynn Shamblin.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

While all the golfers are expected to contribute, this year’s Arabian girls golf squad will rely heavily on Tinsley, expected to be the No. 1 player.

Tinsley had a solid summer shooting in the high 70s when playing 18 holes, while participating in several youth golf tournaments prepping for the fall season.

“She can hit a long ball, and that’s really good,” Slick said. “She genuinely hits it straight, and that’s a huge advantage — straight and long.”

Tinsley has the ability to not only take care of her own game but is helpful reaching out to other players, trying to help them improve their games.

“She helps the girls with being positive, and that’s huge,” Slick said.

The coach also is hoping for solid play from her two sophomores and is excited for the incoming freshman class, which has already shown signs of being able to hit the ball well and contribute.

Dawson has been shooting in the mid-40s for nine-hole play, as have two freshmen, and if they can continue to play at that level during the season with some consistency, the low scores will help round out the squad’s play.

“If we can get those kinds of scores during the season it’s going to be a huge help for the team,” Slick said.

The Arabians will compete again in the always-competitive Hoosier Heritage Conference. Slick said they will not focus so much on other teams as they will look at themselves and how to compete and improve.

“Do we want to win conference? Yes, I’d love to win conference, and with the scores they’ve been showing me, we’ll have a shot,” Slick said. “I’d also love to see us win (Madison) County. The scores I’ve seen are very exciting and show a lot of promise, but I just want the girls to get better and to continue to love to play the game.”

The team’s opening event, the Plainfield Invite set for Monday, July 30, at Deer Creek Golf Course in Clayton, Illinois, was canceled. At press time, the team was scheduled to play Mt. Vernon High School on Tuesday, July 31, at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3974 Clubhouse Drive, Greenfield.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Pendleton Heights girls golf schedule

(Home outings played at Fall Creek Golf Course, 250 Reformatory Road, Pendleton)

• Monday, July 30, Plainfield Invitational, away – canceled

• Tuesday, July 31 @ Mt. Vernon, Arrowhead Golf Course, 974 Clubhouse Drive, Greenfield

• Thursday, Aug. 2 vs. Anderson/Heritage Christian

• Saturday, Aug. 4 @ Monroe Central Invitational, Hickory Hills Golf Club, 9577 W. County Road 400N, Farmland

• Wednesday, Aug. 8 @ Shelbyville, Bear Chase Golf Club, 2660 N. Riley Highway, Shelbyville

• Thursday, Aug. 9 @ Hamilton Heights/Tipton, Bear Slide Golf Course, 6770 E. 231st St., Cicero

• Saturday, Aug. 11 @ Lapel Bulldog Classic, Edgewood Golf Course, 519 Golf Club Road, Anderson

• Wednesday, Aug. 15 @ Hamilton Southeastern, Stony Creek Golf Club, 11800 E. 166th St., Noblesville

• Thursday, Aug. 16 @ Knightstown, Royal Highlands Golf Course, 7629 S. Greensboro Pike, Knightstown

• Saturday, Aug. 18 @ Madison County Championship, Walnut Creek Golf Course, 7453 E. County Road 400S, Marion

• Tuesday, Aug. 21 vs. Daleville

• Wednesday, Aug. 22 @ Yorktown, Players Club, 6610 W. River Road, Yorktown

• Thursday, Aug. 30 vs. Delta

• Tuesday, Sept. 4 @ Heritage Christian/Lapel, Edgewood Golf Course, 519 Golf Club Road, Anderson

• Wednesday, Sept. 5 @ Greenfield-Central, Hawk’s Tail Golf Club, 145 S. Morristown Pike, Greenfield

• Thursday, Sept. 6 vs. Lawrence Central/Warren Central

• Saturday, Sept. 8 — HHC Championship (home)

• Monday, Sept. 10 vs. New Palestine

• Saturday, Sept. 15 — sectional @ Old Oakland Golf Course, 11611 E. 75th St., Indianapolis

• Saturday, Sept. 22 — regional @ Edgewood Golf Course, 519 Golf Club Road, Anderson

• Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29  — state finals @ Prairie View Gold Course, 7000 Longest Drive, Carmel

[sc:pullout-text-end]