Just seven girls tried out for the Lake Havasu High School girls golf team this year. But coach Jerome Kosters said experience and natural ability make up for the lack of numbers.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo. Havasu’s Kaitlyn Sweeney tees off at hole No.1 at The Courses at London Bridge Golf Club during practice Tuesday. Sweeney is one of four returning player’s to the Lady Knights varsity golf team this season.

“Having seven actually makes it easier for practices and meets,” he said. “Plus we only graduate one player this year.”

The Lady Knights return four this year and none are seniors. Leading the way are juniors Taylor Byers, Kaitlyn Sweeney and Salena Wesolek along with sophomore Brooke Gettess.

New to the team is senior Elizabeth Walters, junior Alyssa Pakes and freshman Brooke Gutierrez.

“Even though we had fewer tryout this year, it’s not really a rebuilding year,” Kosters said. “Not with Taylor leading the team. She’ll be the first player since the program started (in 2006) to play all four years.”

Another factor in favor of the Lady Knights this year is a lack of long distance travel. LHHS will play host to four matches this year – including Regionals – while traveling to Kingman three times. There are just three trips outside of Mohave County this year and only one – the Eagle Invitational at the Glendale 500 Club Golf Course – requires an overnight stay.

The Lady Knights make the move up to the 5A conference this year and into the Gila Valley region with the five Yuma-area schools.

“I know that some of those 5A schools we’ve played in tournaments before have very competitive girls programs,” Kosters said. “We really haven’t seen the Yuma schools so I don’t know what to expect. But I can’t wait for that first match against those Yuma teams.”

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.

Lake Havasu High School

2009 Lady Knights Golf Schedule

Sept. 2 vs. Yuma, Yuma Gila Ridge, at The Courses at London Bridge Golf Club, LHC, TBA

Sept. 14 vs. Kingman, Surprise Valley Vista, at Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course, Kingman, 3 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Kingman, Yuma Kofa, at The Courses at London Bridge Golf Club, LHC, TBA

Sept. 17-18 Havasu Invitational, at the Island Golf Course, LHC, TBA

Sept. 24-25 Sandra Day O’Connor Eagle Invitational, at the 500 Club Golf Course, Glendale,

Sept. 28 vs. Kingman, Surprise Willow Canyon, at Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course, Kingman, 3 p.m.

Sept. 30 vs. Kingman, Chandler Hamilton, Peoria Centennial, at Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course, Kingman, TBA

Oct. 6 vs. Kofa, Yuma Cibola, at Desert Hills Golf Course, Yuma, TBA

Oct. 13 vs. Peoria Liberty, Buckeye Verrado, TBA

Oct.22-23 Gila Valley Regionals, The Courses at London Bridge Golf Club, LHC, TBA