"We just balled out today."”

Gilbert girls' golf coach Dru Nix

It all started under meager circumstances 5 years ago for Gilbert girls' golf coach Dru Nix.
She was entrusted with establishing a new program with virtually no players, no equipment or even a serviceable practice course. 
Even after finishing as hard as 3rd place last year in the SC High School League, there were still some uncertainties. Two players left the program last January, leaving only 5 committed players for the upcoming school year. 
Fast forward to Tuesday and the Lady Indians are 1st time state champions. They put together a 2-day effort of 626 to win the 2020 SCHSL Class A-3A championship by 8 strokes over Chesnee. 
"We just balled out today," Nix said. "We just 316 under that pressure (Tuesday) and I couldn't be more prouder of the kids."
Kennedy Gooding earned All-State honors for Gilbert, shooting 148 to finish 5th. However, Nix said it was a total team effort driven by strong performances outside of Gooding. 
"Alexis Hodge at number 2, she went 81-77 today and that was her tournament low and personal best for her," she said. "Edie Raine Hardee had a personal best tournament (shooting 78-79). These kids picked a perfect time to compete and they did not."
Meredith Price, who shot 78-85, rounded out the quartet, all of whom will return next year. 
"The sweetest thing about it is that we have no seniors," Nix said. "We're just going to take this all in and enjoy it and, technically, next year starts tomorrow. That's just the coach talking. The kids need to take a break and make sure they've got their academics in order, which they do, and just enjoy it. I'm so proud of my kids."