The Mehlville girls golf program enters the 2025 season with high expectations and plenty of talent, led by one of the area’s top golfers in Eva Brown.
Head coach Stephen Kress returns after guiding the Panthers to a competitive campaign last year that saw multiple players reach postseason play, including a state appearance from Brown and sophomore standout Natalie Dowling.
Brown has continued to elevate her game on a national stage. This summer, she earned the prestigious honor of qualifying for the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur at Atlanta Athletic Club, where she competed against some of the best junior golfers in the country. She also teed it up on the Underrated Tour founded by NBA star Stephen Curry, gaining valuable experience in high-pressure environments.
“Eva has tremendous athleticism and works harder than anyone I’ve seen,” Kress said. “She can hit the ball a long way, and if she keeps improving her course management, I expect a lot of first-place finishes this year. Of course, our ultimate goal is to win state.”
Dowling, who finished in the middle of the pack at last year’s state tournament, also made major strides in the offseason. Despite having only played golf for four years, she has quickly developed into one of the Panthers’ most reliable players.
“Natalie brings such a positive attitude and is great at staying in the present,” Kress said. “She’s really come a long way in a short time.”
The Panthers will also benefit from new energy in the lineup. Freshman Elise Yang arrives with competitive experience in tournaments and leagues and has already impressed coaches with her determination and ball-striking ability.
Another freshman, Bethany Zylstra, recently moved from Washington State and is brand-new to the sport, but Kress said she has quickly shown potential to contribute.
Kress emphasized that while the Panthers have the star power to contend at the state level, their focus remains on daily improvement.
“The big goal is to get better every day,” he said. “As we get better, we have more fun. We know that takes work, but we’re excited about what this group can accomplish.”