The Blair Oaks girls golf team was really good last season, finishing fifth at the Class 2 state championships.

Only one of the Lady Falcons’ top five golfers return this fall. That turnover could have been a big concern, but coach Kirby Keth already had a system in place to ensure newcomers to the varsity roster are ready to go when they open the season.

“You can’t not invest in your up-and-coming freshmen and sophomores,” Keth said. “You have to invest in them because there’s always going to be that transition, where you lose players and kids have to move up.

“If you don’t invest in them until they’re there, well then it’s too late.”

Blair Oaks’ new-look roster takes the course Monday for the New Bloomfield Invitational at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club.

“It’s an opportunity for us to compare ourselves to other schools,” Keth said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Only three of Blair Oaks’ 12 golfers this season are upperclassmen.

“The freshmen of last year are going to be key contributors, and then we’ve got a new group of freshmen that we’re investing in, trying to make certain that they have the opportunity,” Keth said.

The Lady Falcons’ leading returner is senior Addie Kekec, who tied for 33rd place at last year’s state tournament.

“She’s our most-experienced player, so I need her to be that leader,” Keth said. “Her personality is such that she’s comfortable with doing that. But she’s going to be pushed.”

Taylor Brooks, a junior, and Ashtyn Shaw, a sophomore, also had some varsity experience last year for the Lady Falcons.

“Shaw played in several tournaments over the summer, that has been key,” Keth said. “Taylor Brooks has been around the game, she’s now starting to show her game.”

Sophomores Norah Kerperin, Taylor Linhardt and Brooklyn McAleer all played JV last season for Blair Oaks.

“Norah Kerperin is coming along, she has been playing and practicing in that top-four group quite a bit,” Keth said. “Taylor spent a lot of time on the golf course this summer and has really improved her game.”

Keth has been impressed with freshmen Kinley Lentz and McKenzie Martin.

“There’s a level of competition that you see amongst each other,” Keth said. “Those who get that bug and really want to work toward that starting role, it’s there.”

Rounding out Blair Oaks’ roster is senior Kallie Wulff and freshmen Kinsley Hunt, Adrianna Kenkel and Addison Troesser.

Keth said he will try to bring a JV team to as many tournaments as he can.

“By bringing two teams last year, that gave those younger girls more of a chance to play in a competitive environment,” Keth said. “I’ll always ask.”

Blair Oaks will host a quad Tuesday at Oak Hills Golf Center and will play other nine-hole events at Southern Boone and Versailles.

The Lady Falcons will compete in multiple tournaments at Meadow Lake Acres, as well as at Marshall, California and Boonville.

The Tri-County Conference Tournament is Sept. 29 at Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Columbia. Blair Oaks will see many of the conference teams throughout the season, including Eldon and California, who were state-qualifying teams last season.

Eldon is the defending Class 2 state champion and California was fourth, just ahead of Blair Oaks for the last team trophy.

“Eldon is always really strong, they probably have the best overall program,” Keth said.

Blair Oaks, as well as the other seven Tri-County Conference teams, have been assigned to Class 2 District 2

With a senior-heavy lineup last season, Blair Oaks was strong from the start of last season to the very end.

This season, Keth wants to see gradual improvement, with the hope of his players peaking by early October.

“We’ll get a good assessment right off the bat, then we’ll step into some really good tournaments,” Keth said. “… As a golfer, you’re always playing the course, not other teams or individuals. You have to play your game.

“If we help our girls do what they’re supposed to do, then they can compete. We’re right there.”