The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
VVS’ Olivia Evans heading to states
The senior golfer placed second out of 81golfers at the Section III tournament at Kanon Valley.
DURHAMVILLE N.Y. » The weather conditions for the girls golf section three tournament at Kanon Valley Country Club in Durhamville on Tuesday were not ideal.
Overcast skies, rain and cold weather followed the groups of girls as they walked from hole to hole. Although rain had been in the forecast all week, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill senior golfer Olivia Evans wanted to see the brighter side of things.
“I didn’t want to believe it was going to rain today, and I don’t really like playing with pants,” said Evans with a chuckle. “It [the rain] didn’t really affect me. I’ve played in the rain before. I had all my rain gear, so it wasn’t any different.”
Not only did Evans feel comfortable in the rain, it translated well into how she performed, placing second out of 81 golfers for the contest, shooting a 78.
Evans only fell behind threetime state champion LindsayMay of Auburn, who shot a 70 at the event.
“My chipping and putting was very good. Because it was wet out, my chips sat very nicely and I was able to one or two putt just about every hole. My driver wasn’t doing so hot, I think I hit about three fairways, but my second shots got me out of them,” said Evans on which clubs were working for her in Tuesday’s contest.
Although Evans was the only VVS player to attend the event, the Red Devils head coach, Cindy Thomas, was there to provide guidance and support.
“She’s a real leader. We have a really young team after her and another senior, so she was very instrumental in helping the younger players learn the game and golf etiquette and just helping me out a lot,” said Thomas on Evans’ impact on the program and team this year.
Preferring to work with her own private coach, as well as playing with her father, Evans is well acquainted to the course at Kanon Valley.
“We just had our TVL tournament here last week. Her grandmother is also a member here, so she gets to play on this course quite a bit…I believe she scored 10 points lower today than she did last year,” said Thomas.
Evans’ highest point of success came early on in the contest.
“My best hole was the second one. I hit a drive right down the middle of the fairway and then I hit a 100-yard shot and was able to make a six-foot putt for bird.”
Evanswasnot theonly local golfer who attended the sectional tournament. Camden junior Danielle Caringi (89), Oneida Sophomore GiannaMaio (102), Cazenovia eigth grader Sophie Clancy (118), and Oneida senior Erika Herrman (148), also attended the event.
Evans and Caringi both qualify for the State tournament, which will begin Saturday, June 2 at 11 a.m. at Bethpage State Park Yellow Course.