CAYUGA - No matter what you do, confidence is a handy trait to have.

The Union Springs girls golf program has been steadily building on it for many years.

Section IV Girls golf, as a varsity sport, is something new this season, but not to the Wolves.

Union Springs had fielded a girls golf squad for quite some time, but they have had to play Section III teams, such as Auburn and Skaneateles prior to this season.

“The past two years we played against tough competition,” said Stephen Barry, Wolves golf coach of 17 years. “Now with Section IV having competitive teams for girls golf, we are playing up against teams that we are equal to with talent. The girls are feeling so much more confident in their own game.”

The Wolves hosted Horseheads and Elmira-Notre Dame at Indian Head Golf Course for a Section IV dual match Monday. Horseheads won the match with a 199, but the Wolves came through for second place with a 229. Alex Kozanitis led Union Springs with a 55, while Katie Smith and Kim Bickal each carded a 57.

Jamie Pearce came in with a 60, Stephanie Quill scored a 66 and Lindsey Artman had a 67.

“It was really cold out today, but I feel I play better in the cold,” Kozanitis said.

“I had some really good shots today, but I did have a bad shot too.”

Pearce wasn't too pleased with her scores, not only on the day, but during the entire year.

“Being a senior and a leader on the team, I think I need to be breaking 60,” Pearce said. “I need to improve in that area of the game. I was not at all pleased with the puts I missed.”

Last year at this time, the Wolves were starting to lose confidence in their game. They were playing schools that would shot in the 40's while they were in the 50's.

“I enjoyed playing at a lot of nice golf courses,” Smith said. “I also shot well once, but it was hard to compete against girls shooting in the low 40's.”

Pearce got to the point where she began to enjoy playing the game of golf, but lost confidence in herself due to her scores.

Now the doubt is gone, with all of the Wolves top six golfers having already have qualified for the Sectional IV Individual playoffs.

In order to qualify, a player must be in the top 24 average strokes and must have participated in at least six matches during the regular season.

“I give the girls a lot of credit for the way they've came through,” Barry said.

“It's not something that was easy at all. They stood with the program when it looked dark.”

The girls now will turn their attention to practicing for sectionals, which will be at the Mark Twain Golf Course on May 29.

“I'm very pleased for the girls this year,” Barry said.

“They are seeing the benefit of their hard work. With a lot of help from Tony Biata at Parbreakers, they have gotten better. It helps when you have a professional coach working with you. Then the staff members here at Indian Head are a great help too. They cut the grass and made us our own driving range so we could come out here whenever and hit balls.”

Compared to Section III, Section IV golf remains a work in progress. Section III has nearly 40 teams, while Section IV has only a few.

“I would love to see schools like Moravia and Southern Cayuga get girl golf teams,” Barry said.

“It would save on our traveling time. We make bus trips that are no shorter then an hour and a half.”

The Wolves (11-10 overall, 4-0 IAC) have closed out their regular season.