Girls golf: Permian's Smith shoots for return to form

Maybe it's a good thing high school golfers walk the course when they play.

Permian's Skylar Smith surely thinks so.

The heralded sophomore was thrown out of a golf cart earlier this year, when her friend driving it took a sharp turn.

Smith hit the ground, fracturing her right foot and hyper-extending her right hand.

"I was just sitting there, he turned and I fell," she said. "It was basically a freak accident."

It was something that nearly derailed a promising sophomore season.

"I thought my parents were going to kill me," Smith said. "I couldn't move my fingers, I couldn't move my hand or grasp a golf club. Nothing."

Smith qualified for the Region I-5A Tournament as a freshman and seemed poised to make it back, and possibly qualify for state.

Instead, Smith missed two tournaments, wasn't able to practice and went into the first of four District 3-5A rounds rusty.

"Her injuries did affect her," Permian coach Rachel Tavarez said. "She is ready mentally and definitely physically. I expect her to play a lot better."

Smith shot an 85 in the first round at Ranchland Hills Golf Club on March 11.

Since then, she has been practicing as hard as she can, often playing 27 holes a day to get back into previous form.

"I was disappointed (in the first round)," she said, "but I know I'm going to come back (today)."

Even with Smith struggling by her standards, the Lady Panthers are in second place thanks to solid rounds by teammates Kayleah Law and Ashley Garcia.

San Angelo Central I leads the tournament by 15 strokes.

"I knew we had it in us," Smith said. "We just never put all our rounds together and we finally did."

While Smith is happy about having a quality team surrounding her this season, she also has a simple message to the rest of the district.

"I want to go kick butt," she said. "I shot in the low 70s every day (over Spring Break) and they're going to get a taste of their own medicine (today)."

THE BASICS

District 3-5A Girls Golf Tournament

>> Schedule: Second of four rounds today at Odessa Country Club's Old Course

>> Team Standings: 
1. San Angelo Central, 332
2. Permian, 347
4. Odessa High, 358