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Photo by Hans Hallgren

Members of the Moffat County High School Girls Golf team, from left, are Heather Nicholson, Meghan Innes and Callie Papoulas.

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Coach Ann Marie Hamilton

Craig — In the world of golf, low numbers reign.

For the Moffat County High School girls golf team, three is perfect.

It's not the team's number relative to par; it's how many members are on the squad.

"This is the fewest members I've ever had on the team," third-year coach Ann Marie Hamilton said. "It's going to be easier this year with only three girls. I can actually get out there on the fairway and spend some time with the girls on course management this season."

Senior Meghan Innes is the top returning ball-striker for Moffat County.

Innes won the Bulldog Invitational last year at the Yampa Valley Golf Course and plans to add a few titles to her resume this year.

"I tied for 12th last year at state," Innes said. "And, I won our home tournament. I hope I can keep improving and capture a few more titles before I graduate."

Sophomore Heather Nicholson and freshman Callie Papoulas join Innes on the team.

Heading into the season, Hamilton has a plan for each golfer.

She is working with Papoulas on her downswing, her long game and her course management skills.

"Callie is going to work on getting her long game more consistent," Hamilton said. "We've built a new back-swing where she has a stronger approach toward the ball, and we're going to talk about how to get around the course the right way."

Hamilton said length isn't an issue for Nicholson - she hits the ball far - it's more about accuracy and consistency.

"We want to get Heather more consistent off the tee," Hamilton said. "If we can do that, and get her more accurate on the greens in putting, then she should drop into the 80s."

For Innes, Hamilton said her progress this season all depends on how the senior works her way around the greens.

"The thing that stops her is her putting," Hamilton said. "We switched her to a shorter putter last year, and that really helped. She'll be in the low 80s now, but by the time summer hits, we hope for her to be in the high 70s."

Hamilton said she is looking forward to this season. Having three girls on the team is a number she relishes.

"Having three girls will give me a lot more one-on-one time," she said. "There will be no bickering or animosity on the team. We should all be relaxed and get a lot accomplished this season.

"It should be a fun year."

John Vandelinder can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 211, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com