WENDELL - East Wake placed fifth out of the seven teams competing in the season opening golf match hosted by East Wake at Wendell Country Club last Tuesday, but the event marked a banner day for the Lady Warriors.

For Knightdale and Clayton, finishing at, or near, the top of the rankings has become the norm in both men's and women's golf over the last several years, but for East Wake, a women's golf team is a brand new concept.

Last year East Wake only produced one Lady Warrrior golfer - Phoebe Butcher - but playing alone didn't merit a team. She stood in with the boys in the spring, but this year has a new opportunity in the fall on the girls team. A sophomore, Butcher played Tuesday's match amongst the best golfers in the conference.

Warrior coach Jamie Lemmond said his team's depth is puddle deep compared to the junior- and senior-stacked rosters other teams in the conference boast, but positivity remains in the time the team has to gain experience.

"Phoebe's our most experienced golfer, but she hasn't played the same amount of competitive matches that other girls with her skills have," Lemmond said, noting her best quality is her grit and willingness to push herself to get better. "She has the swing to hang with the best, but her mental and emotional game will need to rise to another level for her to be successful in the postseason."

In the coaching world, Lemmond is also new to the game of golf. He was asked to fill the position once it was discovered there were enough players interested to compete as a team. That fresh start for a coach and a team may make things click as the team ages together, and if the interest in the sport keeps the team presence alive.

Aside from Butcher, Lemmond says he has a rookie-stacked team and has yet to discover much about their individual abilities.

"Emily Baker probably had the best first match out of all of the rookies," Lemmond said, pointing out she kept her composure and got a lot out of it despite being paired with a group of ringers.

"Jackie Ammons has some obvious physical and mental ability and Sammie Smith is quietly determined to figure this thing out," he said.

The Lady Warrior's theme this season has become "Tee It Up", and the group goal is to embrace its youth in the sport as a challenge to itself. Lemmond said that should be a springboard for the players' futures as well.

Dana Watkins was the medalist in the season opener in Wendell, firing a 35 for the Lady Knights. Knightdale tied Clayton with a team score of 131.