During the summer, the early morning tee times are the most coveted at Yampa Valley Golf Course for those who want to avoid the midday heat. That’s a problem the Moffat County High School girls golf team would like to have, but they’re not complaining.

On many days, they have to bundle themselves up just in case some chilly spring winds or a five-minute snow shower come out of nowhere, but getting out and about on the greens of YVGC even amid the transitional climate is worth it if it means getting the practice they need.

Coach Ann Marie Roberts has had her girls on the course regularly in the last week even in wool caps and sweatpants, which still beats practicing indoors, she said.

With eight players this season and two seniors, Katelyn Peroulis and Hannah Beckett, much of the talent is new and ready to be molded. The remaining six are all freshmen and sophomores — Jaci McDiffett, Julia Christensen, Taylor Haddock, Makayla Thompson, Brooke Krause and Tané Otis.

Otis, a sophomore, regularly shot in the 120s last season and intends to pare down that total little by little.

“I’m pretty confident I’ll be getting some better scores in the next couple tournaments,” she said. “A lot of my problems are on my longer shots, because I can putt and chip, but we haven’t gotten to hit long shots, and it took a toll, I guess.”

The group has yet to be able to access YVGC’s driving range, but that will change in the weeks to come, and Roberts believes that will show a significant shift in strokes.

“They’re a lot more confident and relaxed, so you can see they’re listening and taking it in and executing,” Roberts said.

At their second event of the season, Roberts said she saw the team already starting to reach where they were in quality by the end of last season. With a little extra practice time during the upcoming Spring Break, things will really fall into the place.

“I think there will be some tremendous changes in scores,” Roberts said.

Peroulis is in her fourth and final year as part of the golf program, last year reaching the state tournament, placing 77th with two consecutive 114 totals. The experience was a frustrating one for her, she said, mainly because it was an unfamiliar course in Colorado Springs.

This year will be different because she’s already traversed the grasses of both the 4A Western regional site for this year — The Links at Cobble Creek in Montrose — and this year’s 4A state host, which is Carbondale’s River Valley Ranch, where the team will also travel for a late April tournament hosted by Aspen.

It’s the week between River Valley Ranch and regionals for which Peroulis is most excited, the team hosting their invitational at YVGC on April 27 as the final regular season meet of the schedule.

“I didn’t get to play at home last year, so I’m looking forward to being at home my senior year,” she said.

Peroulis plans to keep her scores in the 80s this season and also work with the novices, some of whom are entirely new to the game.

“We’re focusing on the little things like lining up and taking your time to set up to make good shots,” she said. “Hopefully we can get some pretty high team scores this year.”

Haddock, a freshman, said she gained an interest in golf this year thanks to her dad. Being part of the group has been a good experience as she gains proficiency.

“I just feel accepted,” she said.

The teammates freely give advice and joke with each other while putting around on the green, and that laidback spirit is what they enjoy.

“Just hanging out with my team is my favorite part,” Otis said. “It’s like a little family.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.