The Russell County Lady Laker golf team bid adieu to three-time all-state honoree and 2008 Kentucky High School Coaches Association Senior Girls Golfer of the Year in April Emerson, an EKU signee but return all other players from a year ago, according to Robin Rixon, Lady Laker golf coach. 

She said the key players this season are going to be Danielle Murray, Jalena Barnes, Lauren Haynes and Brianne Coe. 

“I look to see a lot of consistent playing out of those players,” she said. “We are currently in tryouts and  tryouts for varsity will be over next Friday.” 

Rixon said this year would be a challenging one for her young team.

“We have a tough schedule again and a competitive region this year as Pulaski County did not lose a single player,” Rixon said.

“We still need to work on the short game, especially putting.”

She said her players have showed improvement during the first week of practice. 

This is a very young team,” she said. “I anticipate seeing a lot out of our younger players this season as they have worked very hard during the off-season.”

Rixon’s husband, James, a teacher in the Casey County school system will take the reigns over this year as Laker head golf coach, replacing longtime coach Wes Bottom.