Crook County Cowgirls golf team is seeing growth this year
Published 10:43 am Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Crook County girls golf team is growing. Head Coach Sarah Shinkle said this year’s roster is the largest she has coached, with 14 players.
“We welcome anybody and everybody that has or hasn’t played golf before, because we want to grow the sport,”
Shinkle also highlighted the support behind the program, including donated equipment and community fundraising that help provide gear and apparel for athletes.
The growing roster has created competition for varsity spots.
“I am excited because we have so many this year. It’s been so difficult to pick who’s coming on varsity because we can only take five to a tournament,” she said.
Many of the varsity athletes picked up the sport during high school. Senior Paisley Wood is the only four-year senior and began playing the summer before entering high school. She spoke about how the small team size has helped build a tight-knit, supportive culture. She also highlighted what makes golf so special.
“You can always go golfing anywhere you’re at; you can always find a golf course.”
Senior Tayden Shores, a second-year golfer, first discovered the sport after a family trip to Top Golf in Arizona. After some convincing, she joined the team.
“Having supportive teammates,” Shores said is what she enjoys most. At the same time, she noted the most surprising thing about golf is “the mental game.”
“When you get a bad shot, you can’t keep thinking about it,” she said. “You’ve got to let it go.”
Gracie Henderson, a third-year junior, spoke on both the social and mental sides of golf. She said her favorite thing about the sport is “everything.”
“I really like the coaches, my teammates, I love just playing in general,” she said. “This sport is more relaxing but also very mental.”
She also noted, “It’s more mental than actual physical,” and she enjoys team scrambles because “we get to play together, and it’s so fun.”
Shinkle also wanted to shout-out all Central Oregon golf courses.
“The courses in Central Oregon, especially, are so accommodating for all of our high school golf teams and tournaments.”
In particular, the boys and girls programs are thankful to practice at Meadow Lakes and Prineville Golf Club every week.
“The courses are very accommodating of younger kids,” Shinkle said.