Kelsey Felch is used to working with a strong group of veteran upperclassmen as the head coach of the St. Edmond girls golf program.

Felch may not have that with the Gaels in 2021, but that doesn’t dampen her spirit to teach. In fact, it fuels it.

St. Edmond virtually starts from scratch this spring, with no seniors, no juniors and no letterwinners on the roster.

“This year looks a little different for us. For the first time in several years, we have all beginners on the team — some who had never picked up a golf club before (last month),” said Felch, a former standout golfer at St. Edmond and seven-time city champion. “This is a fun, young team of ladies that I’m really excited about. It’s a challenge, as we are all learning, but it’s been a lot of fun.

We’ve come a long way since our first day of practice, so I’m looking forward to the season.”

Sophomores Lilian Shin, Alex Tiernan and Alivia Torkelson will be joined by freshmen Caitlyn Croonquist, Ellie Driscoll, Madison Hepperle, Grace Kelley and Kara McConegle.

In 2019, the Gaels were regional finalists. Rylee Kinney, Amanda Richman, Chloe Lewison, Hannah Zinnel, Clare Condon and Cameron Brown have since graduated, and the program missed last year’s campaign due to the global pandemic.

Felch is in her sixth season at the helm.

St. Edmond, which plays its meets at Lakeside Golf Course, opens the season at home on Tuesday against Southeast Valley.

Roster

Sophomores — Lilian Shin, Alex Tiernan, Alivia Torkelson.

Freshmen — Caitlyn Croonquist, Ellie Driscoll, Madison Hepperle, Grace Kelley, Kara McGonegle.

Schedule

April 13 — Southeast Valley; 16 — South Central Calhoun; 19 — Greene County; 22 — at Algona; 23 — at Hampton-Dumont; 26 — South Hamilton; 28 — CYO meet at Lakeside.

May 6 — Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 10 — North Central Conference meet at Iowa Falls.