Amarillo High girls golf team focused on opportunity at UIL state tournament

For the sixth time in school history, Amarillo High’s girls’ golf team can call itself regional champions.

The Sandies won the Region I-5A regional golf tournament from in mid-April for the second time in four seasons with a two-day score of 609, winning over second-place Argyle by 29 strokes. Now, AHS turns its attention to the state tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown next Monday and Tuesday.

Coach Skyler Walden has established a winning culture amongst his team and is looking forward to returning the Sandies to the state tournament.

“This is a pretty awesome group,” Walden said. “They’re a lot of fun to be around… We’re pretty excited about this team we’re bringing in.”

Representing AHS at the state tournament are players such as Charlee Thacker and Addi Britten, who both tied for second place individually at the regional tournament. They’ll be joined by Tyler Held, McKenna Montoya and Christie Jones, who finished fifth, 10th and 31st individually at the regional tournament, respectively.

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Thacker is the Sandies’ most experienced and accomplished golfer, having played all four years on the varsity team. She is the lone remaining member of Amarillo High's 2021 regional championship team and has qualified for the last three state tournaments, becoming the first female golfer to reach four state tournaments in school history.

Walden thinks highly of Thacker, believing her work ethic and leadership will help the team at the state tournament.

“Some of our younger golfers feed off of her,” Walden said. “There’s a lot of unknowns when it’s your first time in a state tournament, but having somebody that’s been there and been through it all can really benefit us.”

Contrasting from Thacker is Montoya, who’s playing in her first state tournament as a freshman. Despite it being her first year, Montoya’s intensity and competitiveness she honed from playing volleyball has allowed her to quickly become one of the Sandies’ best golfers.

And after finishing top-10 at the regional tournament, Walden said he thinks Montoya can make some noise in Georgetown.

“She’s been a blessing to have this year because of what she brings,” Walden said. “She’s very competitive, and she doesn’t like to lose at all. That’s always a really good attitude to have on the golf course and in big tournaments.”

Walden thinks the same of Britten, another one of AHS’ top golfers. She recorded the lowest score of any player on day two of the regional tournament at 74, and Walden believes she can do even better at the state tournament.

“She’s really stepped up for us,” Walden said. “And she can really compete with anybody.”

Rounding out the core group are Held and Jones, who both share a close bond with Thacker, Montoya and Britten. Walden said he loves the connection his team shares more than anything else, feeling it’s what’s lifted the Sandies through each tournament this season.

“This group does a good job of looking at the team aspect of golf,” Walden said. “They build each other up and everyone always has a teammate to help them. They always look at the team score rather than their individual scores.”

Walden and his team are in high spirits heading into Georgetown. Before the season, AHS set a goal to earn a team medal at the state tournament. Now, the Sandies have a chance to seize it.

“This group is going to play for each other, and that’s what gets me excited,” Walden said. “Our goal is to get that medal, and that’s what we’re going to go for.”

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Amarillo High girls golf team focused on opportunity at UIL state