What is better than two Shipps? Three Shipps could be the answer this year for the Platte County golf team.
Platte County’s roster will feature seniors Kasydie and Jessalyn Shipp, both two-time state qualifiers, while younger sister, Eden, joins the team this fall.
The freshman is battling for a spot on the varsity starting five, which has four golfers back.
Platte County also returns seniors McKennah Houlahan and Taylor Holbrook, who joined the Shipps in helping the Pirates win a second straight Suburban Conference Blue Division title.
There will be plenty of golfers battling for playing time this year, a group that includes Lauren Sherwood — who saw time on varsity last year — Haley Loudon, Ava Clark, Grace Clark, Holly Jacobson, Madison Boos, Kasten Green, Tori Sanders and Eden Shipp.
Citizen file photo
Platte County’s Jessalyn Shipp watches a tee shot during the Class 2 Sectional 4 tournament last Octomber on the Posse Course at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, Mo.
“We have a very good shot at going for our third consecutive conference title,” Platte County coach Trevor Short said. “This is one of the goals for our teams this year. We will have to all play well at the same time as we get closer to the end of the season tournaments.”
The Shipps both qualified for the state tournament last year for the first time in the same season. Jessalyn, who went as a freshman, tied for 42nd place, a jump from a 63rd place showing in 2015.
Kasydie tied for 55th, an improvement of 24 spots from her state debut in 2016.
“We have a very seasoned squad coming back this year,” Short said. “With hard work and dedication we have the ability to be very successful this season.”