It was 2015 when Owatonna’s own Maddie Meyer was finishing her senior year at Owatonna High School on the grandest of stages – competing in the state girls golf tournament.  Fast forward to September 2024 and Meyer has been announced as the next Head Coach for the Girls Golf Program at OHS.

Meyer brings to the table a wealth of golf knowledge as well as a relatability to the players having been in their shoes less than a decade ago.  When asked what she is looking forward to most about starting as the new skipper, Meyer immediately talked about forming relationships with current and upcoming players.  “I look forward to building relationships with the girls,” Meyer said.  “You spend a lot of time together between practice, bus rides, and meets.  I have a meeting already scheduled in November to get to know the players for the upcoming season.”

Region 1AA Activities Director of the Year, Marc Achterkirch, spoke highly of Meyer as a person and the new head girls coach.  “Maddie is a spectacular person that will form great relationships with girls as she is both outgoing and personable and golf is a great platform to do that,” he said.  “Maddie has a great connection with Owatonna and also has a familiarity with the program having been a state qualifier herself.”

In her first season at the helm, Meyer will work with the likes of Carmen Jirele, the reigning MSHSL Girls AAA State Tournament Individual Champion.  Jirele won the 2024 individual state title last season as a sophomore and will look to anchor the 2025 squad in her junior campaign.  In addition, Meyer will have the opportunity to work with 2002 OHS graduate Beth Fink as her assistant coach.  Fink is also a special education teacher in Owatonna.

The OHS girls and boys golf programs will both have access to excellent year-round training facilities in what was the boys locker room at the former Owatonna High School.  The past locker room has been transformed into an area where golfers can practice regardless of the elements Mother Nature has in store.  Both programs will not only have access to a simulator, but also 1-2 hitting bays as well as an indoor putting green.  “The Owatonna Golf Boosters Club pushed hard for this, and the players will be able to utilize this space in the offseason as well,” Meyer added.  In addition, Owatonna now has multiple indoor options in town where players of all ages can enjoy the game all calendar year.

One of the key contributors in helping see this practice space come to fruition was former head boys golf coach Mark Langlois.  Achterkirch shed light on why he is also seeking a new boys head coach stating, “Mark stepped down from coaching golf to spend more time with his family, which I completely respect.  He helped put our boys program in a great position, and most of the assistants look like they want to stay involved moving forward.”

Similarly to all sports at OHS, Achterkirch explained the goal and mission of his leaders as he continues the hunt for a strong candidate to name as the next boys golf head coach.  “Winning games, section championships and state titles is the goal,” Achterkirch said.  “The overall mission is to develop better young men and women.”

As of this column, the quest to fill the head boys golf coaching vacancy is in its infant stages.  Achterkirch confirmed that he has not received any applications just yet.  However, if anyone is interested, Achterkirch encourages them to reach out to him directly to discuss the opportunity.

Until next month, hit ‘em long and straight – and most of all have fun!