STATE GOLF: Thomas adds depth for formidable Gators

Sarah Thomas was the second-best Class 2A golfer last year as a freshman at Henderson International.

This year, she might only be the third-best golfer on her team.

Thomas, who transferred to Green Valley before this season after Henderson International announced it would shutter the high school portion of its campus, heads into today’s 4A state meet at Hidden Valley in Reno as the Gators’ No. 3 golfer — behind defending state champion Jenny Hahn and two-time Sunrise Region champ Alex Kaui.

Thomas, last year’s 2A state runner-up, adds depth to defending 4A champion Green Valley.

“It has improved our team greatly,” Green Valley coach Greg Murphy said. “She comes in as a solid golfer. She’s a (number) one on every other team. She’s going to be a special player here.”

The former Wolverine golfer knows this year’s state meet will be more difficult than last year’s. She shot a two-day total of 168 at Genoa Lakes in Genoa en route to her second-place finish behind Incline’s Katelyn Wright. Thomas was the only golfer to shoot both rounds in the 80s, carding an 87 and then an 81.

“I expect the competition to be tougher, but I’m still going to play my game,” said Thomas, who finished sixth with an 81 at the Sunrise Region tournament. “Hopefully, it turns out well.”

Playing on a full team is a dramatically different experience for Thomas, who was the only member of Henderson International’s squad last year. She averaged 75.4 strokes in five Southeast League matches for Green Valley, a team that had the league’s top four regular-season golfers in Kaui, Hahn, Thomas and Kristen Hsu.

“It’s nice to have teammates. They help me and encourage me,” Thomas said. “It makes me feel like I’m part of something.
“We build off each other, and that helps us.”

Murphy said Thomas’ team-first attitude has rubbed off on the Gators.

“She’s fun; she’s a great teammate,” Murphy said. “I think that’s the one thing that she probably didn’t get to enjoy as much last year, having a team. I think (Thomas) having a team has really brought our team closer together. She’s a special part of that team.”

Practices with other golfers have elevated Thomas’ game to where she can compete in Nevada’s top classification. Fellow sophomore Kaui, whom Thomas calls her “best friend on the team,” constantly helps improve and coach the newcomer.

“We play a lot, and we encourage each other,” Thomas said. “She gives me tips on my swing and stuff; that’s helped me a lot this year.”

An extra golfer with state experience should bolster Green Valley’s aim for a repeat title — if the Gators can do one thing.

“I want them to relax. That’s the biggest thing ... they’ve got to be able to relax and fight the anxiety,” Murphy said. “But when you have the kind of depth and the kind of competitive kids that we have, they’re also excited about that challenge.”

Joining Green Valley at the state meet is Coronado, led by Sunrise runner-up Melanie Chambers. The Sunset Region will be represented by winner Faith Lutheran and runner-up Arbor View, which boasts Sunset champion Alyssa Ballew.