When she was a freshman, Phoenixville’s Liz Sitkowski got the reaction that a lot of girls have gotten over the years, from fathers, brothers or other male members of the family, when they have informed them of their interest to play golf.
As Sitkowski told her father, Peter, that she was going to try out for the fledgling girls' golf team, which at the time was in just its second season as a program, he chuckled and scoffed a bit.
Suffice it to say that when Sitkowski informed her dad that she had made the squad, it was no longer a laughing matter. Neither is the way Sitkowski and her fellow Phantoms have attacked Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) opponents in the last three seasons.
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“I have been friends with Olivia [Farrell] since we were eight years old,” said class of 2012 member Sitkowski. “I decided to start playing golf before my freshman year and I have had so much fun with this team since then. I am so glad I took a chance.”
Sitkowski, Farrell and fellow seniors Eva Talbert and Amanda Sierzega will be in pursuit of a PAC-10 final four berth and district qualifying this season as the Phoenixville program, now in its fifth year, has developed into one of the best in the conference.
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“All the credit needs to go to the kids,” said assistant coach Robert Huston. “The boys' and girls' teams have improved so much over the past four seasons. It is a pleasure to be involved. Golf is such a great game for independence and self confidence along with being a team sport.”
Underclassmen Danielle Digirolomo (junior), Alex Philo (junior) and sophomores Katherine Spragale and Ashley Sierzega have given youth and depth to a squad that will go up against some very good teams in Perkiomen Valley, Spring-Ford and Boyertown.
“Playing golf and being on the team is pretty cool,” said Farrell. “We are so close as a team and a group that likes to hang out together. To be able to play a game I love with my best friends is something special.”
The course at Meadowbrook Golf Club in Phoenixville offers a challenging layout with a lot of foliage to snatch up the opponents' balls, while allowing for an aggressive attacking approach for the home team, which is aware of the intricacies of the layout.
“Our coaches do a great job teaching us the game,” said Farrell. “We have set as our goals to improve each week as a team. We help each other and are all focused on keeping a solid state of mind when we are on the course.”
For Sitkowski, after giving dad a big raspberry in her freshman year, she has worked to become the No. 2 player on the team and gets to trek the course with her childhood “bud” Farrell.
“To be able to go out and play with these girls is so much fun,” said Sitkowski. “I gave my dad a big 'hah!' when I made the team, but since then he has been so supportive and I am so looking forward to our senior year.”
Lady Phantoms Varsity Golf Schedule
8/29 Downingtown East Meadowbrook 2:30
8/31 @ Perkiomen Valley Limerick Golf Club 1:00
9/2 Boyertown Meadowbrook 3:00
9/6 @ Great Valley Spring Hollow 3:00
9/14 @ Downingtown East Whitfield C.C 3:00
9/20 Perkiomen Valley Meadowbrook 2:30
9/21 @ Boyertown Hickory Valley 3:00
9/26 PAC-10 single tournament Gilbertsville G. C all day
