Deer Valley High’s girls golf team, under the coaching of Andria Edwards, turned into a powerhouse program, not only in the Bay Valley Athletic League but throughout Northern California.

While they lost players from last year’s team, Edwards and her players still expect to see their tee shots hit fairways and their putts drop. Such expectations were justified when the Wolverines defeated an experienced Liberty team in their opening match.

“They’ve been good leaders about coming out and having some commitment and some good work ethic,” Edwards said. “But as far as the ability? It’s lower than it has been in the past. The scores are going to be higher for us this year.”

The coach also noted that the schedule provides opportunities to improve that were absent in past seasons. According to Edwards, Liberty will probably be one of the top teams in the league, and Deer Valley’s win helps the team realize that it’s on the right track. “The little things helped – saving the extra putts and chips,” she said. “The Liberty girls are very good this year. All the coaches around here have done a great job of promoting girls golf, and teaching and keeping things going.”

While the Deer Valley team is younger than in years past, seniors Haley Edwards and Melissa Wilkerson, as well as junior Taylor Coover, give the Wolverines experienced players in each of their top three spots. Coover, playing out of the No. 2 spot, was a medalist in DV’s match against Liberty, shooting a 40 at Brentwood.

“We’re looking pretty good,” Haley Edwards said. “We won our first match yesterday, so I hope we keep winning. Everyone has there own things that they need to work on, so whatever they need to work on, they need to focus on that.”

While the program has been successful, the proudest achievements of Coach Edwards have nothing to do with winning and losing. One of the most notable accomplishments in her tenure has been filing the Title IX requirements to get golf established at the school. And although the Wolverine golf program has been around only 12 years, the coach has seen it gain respect around the league.