News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
In her second season as Upperman High School’s girls golf coach, alum Juliann Johnson and her team want to build on last year’s success.
Johnson’s roster consists of three golfers, senior Bryanna Herron, sophomore Mylie Herron and senior Ava McHenry. Johnson said after falling short in the regional tournament last season, her golfers spent the off season working on getting better and so far the improvements are apparent.
“I have really high expectations with the work ethic that these girls have,” Johnson said. “And I have no doubt in my mind that if they want it bad enough and we can score good, that these girls can make it to the state tournament.”
The Lady Bees second place finish at the Early Bird Tournament pleases Johnson most in this season’s start. Johnson said the tournament brings in a lot of bigger schools and seeing her girls come out the pack with a second place finish it encouraging for the season ahead.
“I played all four years, and I’m actually from Baxter, and we never placed that high in the Early Bird while I was there,” Johnson said. “So, to get to see my girls do it is huge. I think that is just as important, if not more important than being 4-0 in the district.”
However, Johnson said 100 yards in is where her players struggle. She is pleased with her players performance on the green and in putting, but approach shots and chipping are a weakness.
The solution to short game woes? Johnson said it is playing cerebral golf and having a plan for each shot.
“That was something we really focused on last year was playing good, smart golf and having a strategy at each shot,” Johnson said. “And, I think they’ve really improved that and a lot of that is mental.”
