Where others may see the stress of representing their programs out on the course, it’s a different story for North Hardin High School’s Hailey Coleman.
The senior and second-year team captain is ready to enjoy her last ride as a Lady Trojan.
“I feel fantastic. I love high school season. There’s so much less pressure, you’re having fun and I get to be with my girls, which is always a plus,” Coleman said. “Being able to be captain last season and coming into this season is like a reward. It seems like there’s so much going on, but it’s super awesome. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The name of the game for Coleman this season is to pick up more wins and post lower scores, especially once postseason arrives. Last year at the girls’ state tournament, she had rounds of 78 and 79 to finish in a tie for 16th place.
“To place lower in the state tournament would be a huge goal,” she said. “I’m gonna try to get a top 10. I think that’s definitely reasonable.”
Another 5th Region individual title also is on Coleman’s radar. Having won it as a sophomore, she’s looking for another this year.
“I’m definitely gonna shoot to get my second region title this year,” she said.
Over the last few months, Coleman has been working at her game to ensure she’s ready to go. As the high school season opens, Coleman is feeling good about where she is as a golfer.
“Definitely just narrowing consistency in. That’s a huge part of the game,” she said of her offseason preparation. “I’ve been working really hard on that and definitely have learned a lot of new things. I’m excited to now hit a consistent shot on the course. That’s a big thing for me.”
Coleman further expects her improved consistency to be a major factor in whether or not she reaches her postseason aspirations this fall.
“That will be huge. If you know where the ball’s going, then that’s gonna be a great day to play some golf,” she said. “It’s always important to know where you’re hitting it and a lot of times girls don’t know where the ball’s gonna go, so to know an exact place is amazing for shot placement and scoring.”
Coleman also has team aspirations as well.
Heading into last season’s 5th Region Tournament at Elizabethtown Country Club, the Lady Trojans had won three straight region team titles. That streak ended when Meade County came out on top with a team score of 344, four strokes lower than North Hardin.
After getting used to having the whole team with them at State, Coleman and teammate Ella Scherer qualified as individuals.
Missing out on a fourth straight team region championship was something that weighed heavy on Coleman in the offseason.
“I went out and I played some really, really, really good golf last high school season and then I went into regions. You kind of feel like you failed your team when you’re shooting two over most of the rounds you played and then you go and you shoot in the 80s,” Coleman said. “It kind of fell heavy on me. I was okay with holding that responsibility, but I’m really proud of them regardless and this year we’re gonna come hard.”
Coleman expects the team to bounce back from last year’s region finish and pick back up where they left off.
“We’re incorporating a lot into practice. We’re just catering to our games and really just improving,” she said. “We always have fun, that’s always our thing and that’s what I’m always gonna strive for if I have a say, but we’re really dialing in and doing what we need to do to improve, without a doubt.”
