By NICK McQUEEN

ncmqueen@dailynews.net

The most important thing to come out of Tuesday's season opener at Smoky Hill Country Club was Hays High School girls' golf coach Mark Watts getting a look at his inexperienced 2008 squad on a varsity level.

Watts was both pleasantly surprised and critical at the same time, following the Indians' third-place finish among eight teams in the nine-hole tourney.

"The big thing for us was to see how our girls reacted to a varsity meet," Watts said.

Having just one golfer return from last season with varsity experience, the Indians shot a 206 to finish in third place behind Dodge City (186) and Garden City (190). Hutchinson was fourth with a 220. TMP-Marian also competed with four new players, finishing with a 331 in eighth place.

Individually, though, Watts was the most pleased to see two golfers finish with a top 10 medal, and a third get close. Newcomer Sami Hobson, a sophomore and daughter of new Fort Hays State University women's basketball coach Tony Hobson, finished with a 44 in third place, just three strokes out of first.

"That's a good move in right there," Watts said of Hobson, who played on varsity at Hastings (Neb.) as a freshman. "She has that varsity experience, so that should help us out."

Indian senior Chelsea Linenberger, the only returning golfer with limited varsity experience from last season for Hays High, finished sixth with a 46. Linenberger birdied her final hole to round out the meet.

"The good thing to see was the way they finished their last few holes," Watts said. "Chelsea ended up with a birdie on No. 9, so she showed she has the capability to finish a round."

Freshman Holly Hattan had a solid debut for the Indians. Hattan finished with a 56, four strokes out of medaling in the top 10.

"(Hattan) should come along a little bit," Watts said. "She just had a few mental errors out there, and those can hurt you."

Dodge City, a favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference title, took an early lead in the points standings. The Red Demons had four golfers medal, including the individual runner-up in sophomore Friyana Shah. Garden City sophomore Taylor Morrow won the individual crown with a 41.

"I knew we had a chance to get third," Watts said. "It was going to come down to us and Hutchinson, with Salina South not bringing their varsity squad."

The team's 206 was better that what the Indians shot in practice. Hays High shot a 207 in its best practice round.

"You really don't know how accurate that really is until meet time,"¬ Watts said. "The girls aren't really focused on the competition, but they played well today."

The past four years, Watts has had a competitive team, capable of playing for a championship each time out. This year's squad turned a few heads.

"It was surprising, but I know we can play better," Watts said. "The other girls, I know they weren't happy with how they played, but it was solid for their first varsity meet."

Junior Katie Carmichael finished with a 60, while sophomore Tara McGuire and freshman Maddie Curry shot 64 and 69, respectively.

"It was a good day for us, considering what we had coming back," Watts said. "We'll get to see a little bit easier course on Tuesday, so maybe we can build our confidence up even more with another good round."

Hays High competes in the Salina Central Invitational on Tuesday.

* TMP-Marian brought back its program with four new golfers. The Monarchs shot a 331 in their first meet to finish last. Freshman Candace Staab led the way fwith a 76.

Freshman Samantha Wilson finsihed with an 82, while sophomore Elizabeth Rupp shot an 85. Freshman Breanna Haselhorst shot an 88.

The Monarchs will see more action this week as they travel to WaKeeney on Thursday at 3 p.m. for the Trego Invitational.