Wilson looking for an encore
Leads Central's first-ever girls' team
BY CHRISTA TURNER

When Haley Wilson found out she would play on a girls' golf team for the first time in her career at Central-Phenix City High, she had a truly girly moment.

"The first thing that popped into my mind was, 'We have to find outfits that match,' " Wilson said with a laugh.

Her longtime coach, Gary Socha, shifted from the boys' team to continue coaching Wilson on the girls' team.

"When I told him that, he said, 'I knew this would be a different world,' " Wilson said.

Since she joined the golf team as a seventh grader, Wilson has been the lone female surrounded by plenty of males. Faced with a lack of interest among other girls at school, Wilson golfed on the boys' team during the regular season. Then Wilson would compete at the state level as an individual.

In addition to being a huge contributor to the guys' team, Wilson fared well as an individual, winning the Class 6A state individual title last year at Auburn's Grand National golf course.

This year, however, seventh graders Alex Harrell and Lena Lemieux expressed interest in playing, opening the way for a girls' team.

"I'm excited about having a girls' team," Socha said. "With them eligible this year as seventh graders, we knew if we were going to start it, now's the time. Hopefully, we can generate interest. We'll build it around Haley. She's been here since the seventh grade."

The new season will bring changes, some good and some requiring adjustments from Wilson, now a junior at Central. When playing on the boys' team, Wilson shot from the back tees, as they did. Now, she'll shoot from the women's tees, which are significantly closer to the greens on most holes.

That means she'll be using her pitching wedge, 9-iron and 8-iron more than she has in the past.

"I can't hit driver off every tee, and I'll be shorter in," Wilson said. "On the par 5s, I should be able to reach more often in two (shots)."

Also, by playing from those tees all season long, she'll reduce the amount of transitional time required to make that change for the state tournament.

"She's gonna miss playing with the boys because she developed friendships at the tournaments," Socha said. "But she's going to like this."

Wilson said she's "excited" about the new challenge. In addition to playing to her best abilities, she'll be called upon to provide leadership and help teach the younger golfers. All three will have to be at their best each match.

Alabama rules call for four players to play each match with three scores counting. Since there are only three Central golfers, each of their scores will count every time out. There will be little room for errors.

"I'm looking forward to it," Wilson said. "I think we have a chance to be good and compete well."