Sikeston Lady Bulldogs tee off on new era

Sikeston's Kaddison Adell competes during practice at Fox Haven Country Club on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

SIKESTON — Sikeston is reviving its girls' golf program, launching a new chapter in the school's athletic history.

The Lady Bulldogs are making par-for-course progress and driving the fairway with unprecedented momentum, surprising even veteran coach Marvin Whitson.

“The biggest and best surprise has been the improvement of our new players,” Whitson said. “They’re working hard, they’re receptive, and they’re following instructions. They’re really advancing quicker than I thought they would.”

Sikeston's Kennedi Sims drives during practice at Fox Haven Country Club on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

In recent years, individual girls golfers at Sikeston were forced to compete alongside the boys' team, playing from the men's tees. This year, the formation of a girls' squad has not only breaks par on inequality but also empowers female athletes.

Last year, a lone Lady Bulldog competed with the boys' golf team. However, this season, the number of female golfers has surged to six, reflecting a growing interest in girls' golf within the community.

“Our boys’ team has had some success and I think it’s just the general interest in golf,” Whitson said. “The girls that have played steadily improved and enjoyed the game. That led to a push from the top to get us a girls’ team.”

Leading the charge is junior Kaddison Adell. A standout who previously competed with the boys’ team, and narrowly missed a medal at the Perryville Junior Varsity Tournament last fall, falling just one shot short.

Known for her solid, consistent play and contagious enthusiasm, Adell has the potential to be a state qualifier this season.

“She is the leader of the team because she has the experience,” Whitson said. “She’s done fantastically because she knows the game, both the rules and etiquette. She helps the other girls, and that’s one thing I like, they all try to help each other. I think that’s why our team has been progressing as fast as it has.”

Kennedi Sims is quickly establishing herself as the team’s second-in-command. Despite being a newcomer to the sport, Sims has quickly emerged as a top contender.

A standout athlete in both basketball and soccer, Sims is arguably the best female athlete at Sikeston, even as just a sophomore.

“She hasn’t played a lot of golf, but she’s a heck of an athlete,” Whitson said. “She has surprised me with how hard she has come. She can hit the ball a long way.”

Whitson has been focusing on refining Sims’ short game to complement her impressive driving ability. By honing her wedges, short irons, and putting, Sims becomes a more complete golfer and improves her overall scoring.

“She is the one who has surprised me the most as far as improving,” Whitson said. “If she keeps improving at this rate, she will have a chance to make to state also. That would be a huge leap and a big boost for our program.”

Junior Adley Wheeler and sophomore Gentrie Johansen are two other notable additions to the roster.

Wheeler, who initially struggled to get the ball airborne, has made significant strides in her game.

“She’s progressed a lot in just a week,” Whitson said. “She is really starting to move the ball.”

Whitson first became aware of Johansen when she was in the eighth grade, meeting her at Fox Haven Country Club while she was golfing with her father.

However, at the time, Johansen was attending Charleston School District.

“I told her it was too bad because we were probably going to be getting a girls’ team in the future,” Whitson said. “But it turned out her mom got a job with the Sikeston School District and everything worked out for her to be able to join the team.”

Freshman Chaney Corlew is another promising addition. A seasoned golfer who competes on the Gateway PGA Junior Development Tour during the summer, Corlew brings a wealth of experience to the team. While her commitment to the Sikeston volleyball team will limit her playing time, she is expected to be a valuable contributor in the events she participates in.

“She’s a good player,” Whitson said. “She plays and knows a lot of these courses.”

Junior Halyn Munday rounds out the team. While she may not be as experienced as some of her teammates, her commitment and determination have made her a valuable asset to the team.

“I think she has wanted to come out and play for a while, so it’s great to finally have her out here,” Whitson said. “We’ve only had her out here for a few days, but she has come a long way in that time. It’s been great to see the interest in girls’ golf.”

With so many new golfers, Whitson believes it’s important to focus on daily improvement rather than setting lofty goals at this stage. However, as the season kicks off on Wednesday, September 4 at the Notre Dame Fall Invitational, he is excited and optimistic to see what the team can accomplish.

Note: This article initially stated that the 2024 Sikeston girls' golf team was the first in school history. However, recent research has revealed that Sikeston had a girls' golf team in the late 1970s. While the exact date of the program's discontinuation remains unclear.