Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

Linda Kessler is building the Fairfield Middle School's girls golf program year by year.

And year No. 3 is proof of that.

The Indians took their 7-2 dual record into their season-ending, 10-team Greater Miami Conference tournament on Oct. 2.

In 2006, Fairfield was 0-7, while a year ago, it improved to 4-4.

"It's a building program," said Kessler, whose club only lost to Mason and Sycamore this year. "That's my goal. I didn't make any cuts. My goal is to get the kids ready for the varsity level. Winning is never the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to build a golfer — for them to learn to love the game and play the game."

With the foundation in place, wins have followed for the Indians, who had 11 players — four seventh-graders and seven eighth-graders — on the roster.

"It's a nice mix of kids, and they're fun to work with," Kessler said. "That's why I do it. They are an enjoyable group of kids and a fun group to work with. It makes spending all this time with them worth it."

Taryn Ruberg, an eighth-grader, led the team with a 41 average, and Kessler said she has "unlimited potential."

Seventh-grader Courtney Piatt had a 42 average, while eighth-graders Sydney Berryman and Carrie Dillon each averaged a 43. Eighth-grader Alyssa McRoberts was shooting as low as 38 before an injury forced her to miss the second half of the season.

Other team members were: Miranda Goetz, Madison Simmons, Anna Meece, Molly Schmidt, Alaina Simmons and Megan Schmidt.

"This is a feeder program for the varsity program," Kessler said. "I have kids who I think can definitely play at the varsity level. In girls golf, there are a lot of opportunities for them (in college), and I can see a couple of these kids taking advantage of that."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.