Steelville High School girls’ golf team began its fall season by playing nine holes at St. James golf course Aug. 31 against the Lady Tigers. While Steelville girls have played on a co-ed team in the past, this is the fiarst time the Lady Cardinals have fielded their own golf team.

The Lady Cardinals golf team is coached by Bryan Ruediger and consists of seniors Gracie Mae Boone, Regan Bratcher, Emma Garrison, juniors Kendall Brinkley and Kaylin Gilliam and sophomore Ila Pfeiffer.

Mother nature rudely welcomed the Lady Cardinals to their first action with scorching 100 degree temperatures at 4 p.m., when each team teed off. Steelville had five athletes compete and one did not finish the competition due to heat exhaustion.

St. James’ top four finishers, who are adept at playing their home course, combined to shoot a 212. Freshman Hallie Kleffner and sophomore Landri Abel each shot a 52 to tie for the best performances of the afternoon for the Lady Tigers.    

Steelville’s four athletes finished with a combined score of 271. Brinkley and Gilliam each shot a 64 to lead the Lady Cardinals in their debut performance. Pfeiffer shot a 71 and Brachter shot a 72 to round out the scoring for Steelville.

Afterwards, Ruediger said that he was proud of how his team competed in the sweltering heat during their first time competing, adding that many have just started playing golf.

“This was the first match for all of the girls. This is our first season with a girls’ team and most of these girls have just started playing the game of golf,” Ruediger said.

“Overall, I am excited about the results that we got. I am sure that we will do better as the season progresses,” he added.

The Lady Cardinals will next compete at 4 p.m. on Sept. 10 against Sullivan before playing on Sept. 15 and 16 against Belle at 4 p.m. and at 9 a.m. versus Farmington Bogey Creek. All matches are scheduled to be played at their opponents’ golf courses.