The last time the Chillicothe School Board hired a new girls golf coach, Ronald Reagan was president and gas was $1.29 a gallon. That was 31 years ago. Now, Boys Tennis coach Bob Long adds Girls Golf coach to his resume. Long takes over for Vicki Garrett, who retired after 31 years at the helm, bringing home 10 conference titles, 8 district titles and a second place finish in state in 2005, the last year Chillicothe sent an entire team to the big show.
     Long, who coached golf at Tina Avalon several years ago, takes over at a good time. In 2013 the Lady Hornets were 2nd in the Midland Empire Conference and 3rd in the District Tournament with one golfer qualifying for the State Tournament, and the entire starting five golfers return this season.
     "That helps me a lot" stated Long, talking about the returning experience. "Being a new coach, it helps me that the girls know what's going on."
      Long has three Senior starters and two Junior starters returning, but no Sophomores and only one Freshman.
     "We have some good Seniors. Hannah Leamer (Sr) went to State last year, Morgan Dowell (Sr), Kaylee Thieme (Sr), Grace Venner (Jr) and Lauren Mason (Jr) are all returning, plus our new addition Hannah Sherrow (Fr).

     While this year's team is set, the future of the Lady Hornets program will hinge on recruitment of new players next year and hopefully some incoming freshman next season. However, Long is focusing on this year's team right now.
     "Golf is a mental game as much as it is a physical game. Varsity experience is wonderful but don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just go out and play your game." commented Long.

     With the return of experience, Long expects there to be balance in the line up, and points to that as a strength of the team.
     "Hannah Leamer is going to be a top player, She hits the ball really, really well. But, the other girls are pretty packed in there. They hit the ball a like."
      Long says that balance is helpful in that when one player may have an off day, another is capable of stepping up and helping the team.

      Long hopes another strength this year will be the team's short game, something he's putting a lot of work on in preseason practice.
     "We really try to put an emphasis on chipping and putting and trying to get the ball on the green and in the hole as quickly as we can."
     As for driving off the tee, Coach Long says its more about a smooth swing than brute strength. He says a good tee shot can build a players confidence.
     As to the Midland Empire Conference race, the new Girls Coach knows little about the MEC, but he's confident the Lady Hornets will be ready for all comers. The Smithville Lady Warriors are the two-time defending MEC champions and finished fourth in state last year, however they lost their #1 golfer Paige Imhoff.

     As for Chillicothe, Coach Long makes it simple. "We're going to work as hard as we can to win as much as we possibly can."