ARLINGTON When M-P coach Jaci Legore Hodgins said in the preseason that her team was a lot better, she meant it.
The girls proved their mettle on a cold, sprinkling St. Patricks Day meet at Gleneagle Golf Course when they faced Oak Harbor, Lake Stevens, Stanwood and a depleted Arlington team in a season-opening competition.
Sophomore Stacia Ashley, who had averaged 15-20 Stableford points per nine holes as the teams first golfer last season turned in a 25-point performance in drizzly, muddy conditions. Her effort was matched by junior Sara Rott, who made even bigger improvements on her scores from last season. The two Tomahawks tied for the meets second-best score behind returning state golfer Britteny Loveng of Oak Harbor. With the meets top score of 29, Loveng earned medalist honors.
Junior Lynee Brown and sophomore Courtney Green also had matching scores of 15 points each, rounded out by 13 points from junior Brielle Saunders. The score of the teams sixth-place finisher, in this case, freshman Abby Beauchamp, was thrown out.
Stableford scoring puts a twist on the usual golf scoring, awarding more points for fewer strokes.
Oak Harbor won the meet behind Lovengs effort with 111 points. M-P took second with 98. The well-rounded team effort put the Tomahawks past Lake Stevens (78), Stanwood (52) and the nine-point effort by Arlingtons lone golfer Ashley Heise.
The Tomahawks return to Gleneagle for a league match March 27.