HESPERIA — The Panthers are seeking more girls interested in playing on their girls golf squad for the Fall 2026 season.
According to Head Coach Roxanne Kammer, the team currently has eight golfers-a full team, with potentially a couple more.
But Kammer said she would always love a few more golfers.
And Kammer said, “We are able to take a maximum of six golfers to conference meets and need at least golfers to have a team score.”
“We always try to reach out to the kids to see who is interested,” Kammer said. “Since our season officially starts on August 10th, it can be tricky to know how many golfers we will have for the season due to it being summer, and school not being in session.”
Kammer said, “I’m really working forward to this season; our conference has changed this year, and with more schools now fielding girls golf teams, we’re finally able to split into the Lakes and Rivers Division, which gives us the opportunity to face some new competition.”
“One of our biggest goals is to make sure no girl misses out on the opportunity to play because she doesn’t have golf clubs,” Kammer said.
Kammer also said, “Over the past few years, some girls have joined with their own equipment, while others have needed a full set to get started.”
“When we launched the program, we pieced together a collection of golf clubs from whatever the school had available,” Kammer said.
And also according to Kammer, “Since then, we’ve donated many clubs from our own collection, received generous donations of clubs from family, friends, and community members, and have even added to our inventory through Facebook Marketplace whenever my husband finds a good deal.”
Her husband is Shane Kammer, the assistant coach for both the girls and boys golf programs.
Roxanne said, “Over the years, we’ve built a collection of clubs that allows us to outfit nearly every golfer who wants to give the sport a try.”
And being a first-grade teacher, Roxanne said she offers rides from school to practice, and transports a few, and others can drive themselves and some have parents who transport them.
“Roxanne said, “I hope to continue growing our program by adding a few more golfers while seeing our returning players build on the progress they’ve made over the past few seasons.”
And one of the goals of the program is to help dual-sports athletes participate in the golf program as well as their other sport.
“Our goal is never to make an athlete choose one opportunity over another,” Roxanne said.
“Instead, we try to work together to help them grow as athletes, teammates, and young women while enjoying every chance they have to compete,” Roxanne also said.
“In the past, we have had several dual-sport athletes, with volleyball being the most common fall sport they participate in,” Roxanne said. “Balancing practices, matches, and tournaments can be challenging, but we work together to make it successful.”
Roxanne said, “Fortunately, our current volleyball coaches are great to work alongside of and understand the importance of allowing our athletes to participate in both sports.”
“We communicate and are flexible with practices and schedules so the girls can get the most out of both experiences.
Roxanne and Shane started the Hesperia girls golf program in 2023, just four years ago.
Roxanne said, “A few years ago, my husband and I realized Hesperia didn’t have a girls golf team.”
“After working with the district to get the program approved, I applied for the coaching position and started the team in 2023,” Roxanne said.
“Golf has always been a big part of our lives,” Roxanne said. I grew up in a golfing family, and I still golf with them; my mom and I golf every week together.”
With Shane as her assistant, Roxanne said that coaching together has been a wonderful experience, and a family affair for them.
And Roxanne said, “Our son, Logan Kammer, graduated last year after playing on the boys golf team, and this season, we’re excited to welcome our daughter, Macy Kammer, as a freshman on the girls golf team.”
“As coaches, we’re not PGA professionals, but we’re passionate about teaching the game and helping each golfer improve,” Roxanne said.
“We also value our partnership with First Tee of Newaygo County,” Roxanne also said.
And in addition, Roxanne said, “Their program provides wonderful learning opportunities for our girls, and we always enjoy working with Erik Sanford whenever he is able to join us for practices.”
Roxanne said, “Being a first grade teacher in the district allows me to build relationships with many of our students long before they reach high school.”
“I want every athlete to know they can talk to me and that our coaching staff is here to support them, both on and off the course,” Roxanne said.
“As a mom and a teacher myself, school always comes first,” Roxanne said.
Roxanne also said, “Our girls on the team do not always want to miss school for tournaments and that can be hard repeatedly missing class.”
“I really try to teach them to communicate with their teachers and with me as their coach,” Roxanne said.
Also, Roxanne said, “If they are getting behind in work, I work with them by letting them stay back from practice when needed, and sometimes moving around the golfers so they can take a meet/tournament off to catch up.”