The two time National Champions of Lambert Girls Golf are seeing yet another remarkable season. Just recently, they took home the winning title at the area tournament for the 13th year in a row. 

“We’ve never lost an area, and we haven’t lost a tournament this season,” sophomore player Zoe Duval said. 

Recently, the team traveled to Jekyll Island where Duval, and her partner Athena Yoo set the tournament record with a score of 60, going 12 under par. Along with their record, the team has seen a plethora of individual success with their wide array of players.

“We don’t just have one star; we have a lot of talent on our team, but we also have a lot of different skill levels on our team,” Duval explained. “And when we all prepare as individuals it helps our score [as a team] to be better,” 

Senior Sarah Im, who is ranked 12th in the world by the American Junior Golf Association, has been a crucial asset to the team’s victories over the years. She will be playing Division 1 Golf next year for Vanderbilt University. She has served as an excellent mentor and role model to the newer players.

“She is absolutely incredible,” Duval boasted. “We look up to her for some ways that she practices that we’ve never seen before..she’s an idol for everyone of us on the team.”

Coach Fortenberry has led the team in their success with compassion and strength. He connects with his players on and off of the course to foster a team of devoted and close knit players. 

“He knows all of his players on a personal level, he knows how to calm us all down when we’re not doing well, he knows how to make us laugh, he knows how to cheer us up,” Duval said. 

Coach Fortenberry has taken the team to new heights over the years through his unique approach in training. 

“A lot of other schools just hit a bunch of balls on the range, but we do a lot of short game work, which I think really improves our scores,” Duval explained. 

Coming off of an incredible season last year with wins at area, state and national championships, the team is greatly positioned for their goals of this season. 

 “We are going for our 3rd National championship win which would be an amazing achievement… we’re all up for the challenge,” Duval said.

As for personal achievements, the golf program has profoundly impacted players it works with on a personable level.

“Girl’s golf is pretty rare,” Duval said. “There’s not a lot of people our age that do it and it really helps to build relationships with people who have the same passion as I do, it’s amazing.”

With a successful season on the horizon, Lambert girls golf is one to watch this season.