Girls golf: Lady Bronchos program builds behing Kiphart's leadership

Karley Kiphart can feel the eyes.

Ever since last year, ever since Kiphart outlasted Permian's Skylar Smith and earned the first regional berth in the history of Odessa High girls golf, Kiphart has felt like everyone's watching her.

Waiting for her to do something amazing again.

"I feel like I would disappoint people if I don't play as well as I have previous to now," Kiphart said. "I feel a little pressure."

Pressure that's starting to build as the Lady Bronchos get further and further into postseason play.

Playing consistent golf throughout the District 2-5A South Zone tournament has landed Odessa High in the District 2-5A Championships, which begin at 1 p.m. today at LakeRidge Country Club in Lubbock.

"We're excited about it," sophomore MacKenzie Barnes said. "We're trying to handle all of the pressure."

Kiphart certainly did her part to keep the team at the South Zone tournament by turning in a third-place finish.

But her lasting impact on the Lady Bronchos' program might not be her individual play. Kiphart's imprint could be found in the scores posted by the rest of Odessa High's players.

Last year Kiphart took a pair of freshmen, Barnes and Nichole Davidson, under her wing.

Barnes and Davidson have been solid in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively, for the Lady Bronchos this year. More importantly, the sophomores have helped Kiphart show the way to Odessa High's trio of freshmen - Aspen Lam, Madison Moore and Bailey Wright.

"When MacKenzie and I were freshmen, Karley always showed us what to do, what it's like in a tournament and try to help us," Davidson said. "That's what we've been trying to do with the freshmen."

Lam and Moore play the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively, for Odessa High.

OHS head coach Berry Borchardt doesn't expect the two freshmen to turn in scores in the 70s. Neither do the trio of older players.

"They're just getting into the groove of things," Kiphart said. "I think they're doing pretty good for starting out, because I was probably where they were when I started."

Lam and Moore might still be developing.

But the Lady Bronchos will need good scores from the pair to advance. To shoot low scores, Lam and Moore will both need to avoid a bad case of nerves.

"I'm usually more confident in practice than I am in tournaments," Moore said. "When I get to the first tee, I'm really nervous, but I usually hit a good shot."

Nerves affect everybody.

Even the talented senior with the sparkling resume.

"I'm more stressed-out than last year," Kiphart said. "Last year, I don't know what happened, I was relaxed, went out there, played awesome and made it to regionals. This year the stress has come back."

Kiphart shouldn't worry.

She's already made quite an impact this year.

Just ask the rest of her teammates.

>> DISTRICT 2-5A GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

First Round: Monday, LakeRidge Country Club, Lubbock.

Second Round: Tuesday, Rawls Golf Course, Lubbock.

Teams: Permian, Midland High, Odessa High, Lubbock Coronado, Amarillo High Gold, Amarillo High Black.

To advance: Top two teams move on to Region I-5A tournament; top two individuals that don't qualify as part of a team will also advance to the Region I-5A tournament.