Pine View aiming to defend 4A title as high school girls golf season tees off

Pine View golfers and coaches with state 4A championship trophy, Taylorsville, Utah, May 13, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Gary Higgins, Pine View Athletics, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The high school girls golf season officially starts this week, with the seven Region 10 teams having their first match on Thursday at the nine-hole Dixie Red Hills course in St. George.

Skyeli Millward of Pine View plays at Sunbrook Golf Club, St. George, Utah, April 15, 2021 | File photo courtesy of Gary Higgins / Pine View Athletics, St. George News

The first match will be nine holes only, after which the seven remaining weekly season matches are scheduled for 18 holes. 

Looking to repeat as state 4A champions are the Pine View Panthers, who didn’t lose any players to graduation.

“We have our entire team returning,” Pine View coach Matt Wieland told St. George News. “And, the girls have worked really hard to get even better than they were last year.”

Among the top returning players for the Panthers are four of the region’s top seven finishers last season, namely Hallie Wieland, Alyssa Butterfus, Skyeli Millward and Kenzie Owen.

Millward, a four-year varsity player, is one of three seniors on this year’s squad, joining Katelyn Leavitt and Anique Shirts.

Wieland, the coach’s daughter, and Owen are both juniors, while Butterfus is a sophomore.

“All of the girls have worked incredibly hard,” Matt Wieland added. “Every single girl returning has improved their scores significantly.”

Nevertheless, Wieland says he expects to see some stiff competition from the other teams in Region 10.

“The region, as a whole, is a lot better. In other tournaments outside of high school golf, I’ve been watching some of these other girls and I’m seeing the other schools’ scores improving as well. 

“Our region as a whole, man they’re scary,” he added.

Dixie High’s Annabelle Millard during a recent practice, St. George, Utah, February 2022 | Photo courtesy of Michael Millard, St. George News

Dixie High School senior Annabelle Millard will also be aiming to be the classification’s top individual golfer for the second-straight year. Last year at the state championship tournament, Millard shot a two-day score of 136 that included a second round 65, winning top individual medalist honors by 15 strokes.

“I’m thrilled to start the season on Thursday. I couldn’t be more excited to finally get back out there and play,” Millard told St. George News on Monday, adding she’s been working on some adjustments to her swing.

Millard, who has already signed to play collegiately at Utah Valley University, said her Dixie High teammates have also been working hard to prepare for the upcoming season.

“I’m proud of them, and it’ll be fun to watch them this first tournament,” Millard added. “It’s just a blessing to play my senior season alongside my friends at Dixie and around the region.”

Other returning players for Dixie include senior Iris Pead and sophomore Stacey Phelps. They are joined by several promising up-and-coming freshmen.

Meanwhile, Desert Hills is also expected to be a strong contender this year.

“I believe they also have their entire team from last year returning, with some improved scoring as well,” Wieland said of the Thunder.

“There’s definitely going to be some good golf played,” he added.

Following is the Region 10 girls golf season schedule:

  • March 10, Dixie Red Hills (9 holes) 1:30 p.m.
  • March 17, Southgate, 1 p.m.
  • March 24, Sky Mountain, 1 p.m.
  • March 30, SunRiver, 1 p.m.
  • April 6, Sand Hollow (Links course twice), 1 p.m.
  • April 14, Sunbrook, 1 p.m.
  • April 20, Green Spring, 1:30 p.m.
  • April 27, Cedar Ridge, 1 p.m.

The first week of May is set aside for a possible makeup match and/or a junior varsity tournament. The state 4A tournament will be on May 11-12 at Sunbrook in St. George.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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