With a week and a half of practice behind it, the Spanish Springs girls golf team is prepared to start off the new season.

The young team has only one senior on the roster this year and has brought in five freshmen. The rest of the squad is comprised of four sophomores and two juniors.

SSHS coach Victor Sherbondy said that a 12-person squad is a lot, compared to many of the other schools. Most schools only have six members on the team, Sherbondy said. He added that the Cougars are pleased with having a larger team.

“The girls are looking forward to having fun and working hard,” Sherbondy said. “As well as doing the best they can by shooting a lot of personal bests this year.”

The season will begin with an in-house qualifying round of play on Thursday. The practice event will decide which Cougars qualify to play in the team’s first varsity tournament, which will be held next Tuesday at Wildcreek Golf Course.

This Friday, however, four girls will play in a four-person scramble in the Sierra Pacific golf tournament, held at Red Hawk. The Cougars are the Sierra Pacific defending champions.

“We're a very talented team even though we're young,” Sherbondy said. “We'll be very competitive.”

Sherbondy said his squad has high hopes for the season. Last year SSHS was the only Washoe County team to make it to the state tournament and they would love a repeat.

“If we could win regionals, that would be outstanding,” Sherbondy said. “Douglas is very good, it'll be tough for us to get past them.”

The Cougs want to work hard this season and achieve their personal bests, along with an extra treat.

Sherbondy hands out what the team calls "trophy balls" at the end of the season.

“Every time a girl gets a birdie or a personal best, they get a trophy ball,” he said.

The squad is prepared for Friday and ready to take on its first tournament in hopes of defending last year's win at the Sierra Pacific.

•Reed High School will join Spanish Springs in Tuesday's varsity tournament at Wildcreek at 12 p.m. The Sparks Railroaders will see golfing action on Thursday at 12 p.m. at the West Icebreaker tournament.