There won't be much margin for error when the Pinecrest girls begin their quest of a fourth Mid-Southeastern Conference golf title in a row at Gates Four on Aug. 25.

Seniors Tiffany Phasukkan, Katie Roberts and Kerry Radigan are the only returnees from last year's squad, which was also runner-up at the 4-A Mid-East Regional tournament.

Completing the smallest squad that Coach Sandy Sackmann has had in a number of years are a trio of relatively inexperienced players in seniors Chelsey Haley and Christina Stenseth, and junior Kerry Harper.

Sackmann's 2001 girls won a state championship as did her 2008 boys' squad. The Patriots girls have not lost a conference match since 2005.

"I'm excited about another season of golf," the coach says. "This is such a positive bunch of girls. They want to continue the tradition that has been established."

All three of the returnees earned all-conference honors last year. Phasukkan, who will be team captain, finished with the second best scoring average in the conference (84.4). Roberts shot an 80 to lead the Patriots in the regional held at Pinehurst No. 3, finishing in fifth place individually. Radigan's scores of 90-85-175 led her team in the state championship tournament held at Keith Hills in Buies Creek as Pinecrest came in seventh.

The golf team gets a head start on the other athletic teams at Pinecrest when it competes in the Keith Hills Girls' Invitational today in Buies Creek.

Schedule Aug. 15 Keith Hills Invitational; 25 conf. at Gates Four; Sept. 2 conference at Stryker. G. C.; 8 conference at Richmond Pines; 15 conference at Bayonet; 22 conference at Gates Four; 29 conference at Scotch Meadows; Oct. 2 conference at Pinehurst No. 5; 6 conference at Willow Lakes; 13 conference TBA; 20 regional TBA; 27 4-A state championship at Pinehurst No. 1.