Clarke Central High School girls varsity golf players Lucy Buckner (left) and Rianna Holt (right), both seniors, pose at the ODYSSEY Media Group’s 2026 Spring Media Day in the CCHS Competition Gym on Feb. 21. The CCHS varsity girls golf team has been practicing under CCHS head varsity golf coach Steven Howard since the season started on Feb. 10. “(Practice has been) looking good. We practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, out at (University of Georgia),” Howard said. “It’s been cold lately, so we’ve been doing our best to stay strong, but we’re trying to focus more on short games, because that’s where we lose most of our strokes.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
In their last nine-hole match of the season, the CCHS varsity golf team is preparing to face North Oconee High School on March 24 at Athens Country Club.
The CCHS varsity golf team is preparing for their fourth official match in Region 8-AAAAA play against North Oconee High School on March 24, starting at 4 p.m. at the Athens Country Club.
Since the season began on Feb. 10, the Gladiators have practiced Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. under CCHS head varsity golf coach Steven Howard, most recently preparing for their third match of the season against NOHS.
“Our opponent’s a very talented young team. They typically do well in the region. (There’s) nothing particularly to prepare, other than just knowing that we can compete and play with them, so not to be intimidated. We’re a good team this year.” Howard said.
“It’s our last nine-hole match of the year, so I’m hoping everyone’s in good playing shape (and) ready to get prepared for that area tournament.”
— Steven Howard,
CCHS head varsity golf coach
In the JV Athens Classic on March 9, the Gladiators placed third with a combined score of 343 while the Titans finished second with a combined score of 320. The match will be the final competition before the girls area tournament on April 20 and the boys on April 21, giving the Gladiators a month to prepare for tournament play.
“It’s our last nine-hole match of the year, so I’m hoping everyone’s in good playing shape (and) ready to get prepared for that area tournament,” Howard said. “A key to success is getting off to a steady start, not getting frustrated and making sure (the players) take their time with their putts.”
Following a stronger showing at tryouts than in previous years, the CCHS varsity golf team has shifted its focus to long-term improvement, using this season as a foundation for continued growth within the program.
“We’ve been practicing a bunch and getting advice from our coach to prepare. We’ve (also) been playing a lot of matches. To get rid of the nerves, a lot of us tell ourselves (that) we’re just practicing and next time we get out there, we’ll play better and we’ll know what to fix,” CCHS girls varsity golf player Lucy Buckner said. “I feel really good. This is one of the best seasons that we’ve had as a team.”
