Four Douglas High girls golfers pose for a photo at Pinehurst Golf Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina after being invited to the National High School Golf Invitational. Pictured from left to right are, Abbigail Detsch, Giana Zinke, Madison Frisby and Abby Miller.
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Coming off a Class 3A state title, the Douglas High girls’ golf team was able to represent Nevada at the National High School Golf Invitational at the end of June.
Getting the invite was an achievement in itself, but the Tigers didn’t waste the opportunity to fly across the country to compete.
The four Douglas golfers knew of the status of the course itself, but being grouped in with some of the best high school girls’ golfers in the country certainly added a new level compared to any routine golf tournament.
“I was a little nervous because I knew the girls were going to be pretty good,” said Madison Frisby, who will be a sophomore next year. “We all knew that going to Pinehurst was going to be a rare opportunity.”
The prestige of the grounds is close to being unmatched in the United States.
Pinehurst, which has numerous golf courses on location, has hosted three US Open’s in the last 15 years and the PGA major will return in 2024.
Posting the lowest score wasn’t necessarily of the most importance when it came to the grand stage of playing nationals.
“It almost didn’t feel real,” said Giana Zinke. “We were going there for fun. We don’t really get to play Pinehurst, especially at our age.”
“It was kind of surreal because I’ve never been to the east coast,” added Abby Miller. “The weather was very humid.”
If the girls weren’t sure what to expect, their dads and coaches made sure they understood the gravitas of playing at Pinehurst.
Representing Nevada
Not only was the invite to the tournament an accomplishment in and of itself, the four Tiger girls were there as the team representing the state of Nevada.
All four were introduced on the opening tee box by name and ‘representing the state of Nevada.’
“I guess I didn’t think of it that way. I felt we represented Douglas High,” said Abbigail Detsch. “It’s too bad more schools aren’t interested enough to make the trip for girls golf.”
Playing on Bermuda grass was a new experience for the foursome as well, playing through thicker fairways and even thicker roughs.
While the course was the main feature, the girls did get the chance to explore a bit around the area going to local parks and enjoying each other’s company.
“There wasn’t a whole lot to do besides golf,” said Zinke. “It’s pretty much revolved all around the golf courses, which it should be. We just found things to do.”
Ice cream was a must given the sweltering heat and humidity in the air.
The Douglas team also spent plenty of time on the massive putting green featured at the course.
Of the 29 teams in attendance, the Douglas grouping was close to the furthest traveled alongside teams from Washington and Arizona.
The Tigers have a chance to represent Nevada again as Miller will be a senior in the upcoming school year while Detsch will be heading into her junior year.
Both Frisby and Zinke will be sophomores this fall, also representing the class of 2025.
“I don’t think these girls quite realize how cool of a program and event this was,” said head coach JD Frisby. “We knew we weren’t going to go win this thing, but I wanted them to realize that they’re not that far off.”
Finding context in success
With a state title and a trip to nationals under their belt, there’s a level of confidence that surrounds the Tiger girls golf team.
The group noted that they catch some criticism from some of their peers for winning a state title after dropping into Class 3A this past year, but the banner will forever remain hanging from the rafters inside of the Tiger gymnasium.
“We still have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” said coach Frisby. “We can’t control where they put us, but were going to go out and play against whoever is in front of us.”
The experience has also continued to bring out the competitive spirit in the team, knowing they can compete on a national stage.
More than 220 girls golfers from across the country wound up competing in the national invitational.
“It’s made me want to keep practicing and want to get better,” said Frisby.
