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By Jay Spivey

For the Clemmons Courier

CLEMMONS — Comfortability is a big help for a coach.  

That is certainly the case with Coach Debra Troxell of the West Forsyth girls golf team. She is beginning her second season as head coach, and this season just feels different after a successful run last season.  

“I know better what I’m getting into,” she said. “And frankly, I’m enjoying it even more this year. Coming back with so much of my team from last year, they’re just so much fun to work with.” 

With one season of coaching girls golf under her belt it just feels different this year. 

“It’s what I expected,” Troxell said. “I have a lot of experience coaching all sports and coming back from that summer break’s always a challenge getting in the mindset of practicing. The difference this year is teachers started back (Aug. 1)…and the girls start classes (Aug. 12), so our first match will be on our first school day.” 

Like Troxell said there is plenty to get excited about with the Titans girls golf team after they finished ninth last year in the NCHSAA Class 4-A championship. 

“Fingers crossed,” she said. “It’s a long season, but I think we have a lot of potential. I think we can replicate the success from last season.” 

West Forsyth lost four players – Paige Sidney, Sally Toalson, Alivia Talley and Mackenzie Taylor – to graduation.  

“It’s just the natural progression of coaching,” Troxell said. “You work with girls and their skills develop over the years and they graduate. And they always leave a whole in your program just because you get to know them as people, you get to know them as players. But then you have your juniors develop into leaders, and you have new freshmen come in you transition to the next year.”

The Titans have three seniors this season – Sadie Meacham, who had the second-best finish for the team in last year’s state championship at 169, as well Katherine Perdue, and Emery Bowlin. 

“I depend on them,” Troxell said. “They set the tone for the team. They’re leaders when it comes to some skill development, to knowing how to manage the tournaments. They help when I group them in practice, like I can depend on them to manage their group that they’re working with in practice. I rely on my seniors a lot. They’re great girls and they’re great golfers.” 

The Titans will also have sophomore Madison Adams, and freshmen Sophia Perdue, Kristina Tullos and Gabriella Davis this season. 

Sidney had the best finish for West Forsyth last year in the state championship after shooting a two-day total of 155. 

“Paige was such a leader and she was such a good golfer,” Troxell said. “She had so much experience. But I’ve got great leadership and skills. Like, Katherine Perdue’s developed into a great golfer and so has Emery, and so has Sadie Meacham was my No. 2 golfer last year.” 

Sidney, Meacham, Toalson, Perdue and Taylor all made all-conference in the Central Piedmont 4-A. 

“I don’t have any juniors,” Troxell said. “My juniors from last year have been practicing over the summer and they’ve improved their skills, and I think we’re going to have a good year.” 

West Forsyth finished runner-up behind champion Reagan last year in the Central Piedmont 4-A. Reagan also finished eighth in the state in the state championship last year at 483, 13 shots ahead of ninth-place West Forsyth.  

“We should be competitive,” Troxell said. “…I have no idea (who the conference favorite is). We’ll know more after that first conference match (at Salem Glen, which is West Forsyth’s home course, in a nonconference match against Davie County and Ragsdale). Davie always does well, Reagan always does well, Reynolds, Reynolds can play well.” 

West Forsyth is scheduled to play its first conference match on Aug. 20 at Wilshire against Parkland. Also, the NCHSAA Class 4-A regionals are scheduled for Oct. 21-22, and the state championship is scheduled for Oct. 28-29. 

“Our conference is a competitive conference,” Troxell said. “So, it’s a nice way to get ready for post-conference play. But we’re also in the most competitive region, so that regional tournament is always a challenge. But I think that’s something we can perform well in.  

“And once we get through that, you know how it, the best of the best go to the states. It’s a nice little challenge, but I think it’s something we can be competitive in.” 

Roster:

Sophia Perdue

Una Davis

Kristina Tullos

Emory Bowlin

Sadie Mecham

Gabrielle Davis

Madison Adams

Katherine Perdue

Schedule:

8/26 – Parkland @ Wilshire

9/3 – Glenn @ Winding Creek

9/4 – Mt. Tabor @ Tanglewood

9/17 – Reynolds @ Bermuda Run

9/19 – East Forsyth @ Pine Knolls

9/24 – Reagan @ Reynolds Park

9/30 – Davie @ Oak Valley

10/1 – West Forsyth @ Salem Glen

10/14 – Conference Tournament