The future looks promising for the Riverton girls golf team. Sophomore Savannah Linford is a big reason why. 

Linford has only been golfing competitively for two years, but she has displayed rapid improvement and a positive attitude. As the No. 2 golfer this past season behind senior Ellie Anderson, Linford is poised for an even bigger role in 2026. As a freshman, Linford played on the varsity squad, giving head coach Peter Fong a glimpse of her potential. This season was an even better one for her. 

Through this past season, Linford worked hard on her long game, and she now says she hits her driver well. During the offseason in preparation for her junior year, she plans on improving her short game and hitting with her iron clubs. 

However, when she talked about what she enjoys most about playing for Riverton girls golf team, she didn’t mention specific tournaments and scores. Rather, Linford spoke highly of her teammates and relationships she made on the team. The Silverwolves enjoyed a strong bond this season. Whether it was at practice, at tournaments or away from the sport, the players got along well and built a positive culture. She also appreciates the coaching staff and the efforts they made to ensure the girls had a positive experience. 

“The best thing about being on the Riverton golf team is having a fun group of girls to hang out with and having a fun coach to help us,” Linford said. 

Linford initially got interested in golf at the encouragement of her parents. Though being on the Riverton girls golf team wasn’t one of her goals just a few years ago, she decided to try out as a freshman and is happy she did so and made the team. 

“I tried out and ended up really loving it,” she said. 

Though she goes up against talented competition, Linford sees playing high school golf as a learning experience. But she has gotten even more out of it than that. Linford has built friendships with opposing players.

“I enjoy getting to know all the other girls from different teams,” she said. 

Next season, Linford will aim to drop her scores so she can help her team move up the region standings and have a chance to be a factor at the state tournament. She echoes what so many other golfers say about the sport: golf requires more than physical attributes; you need to be mentally tough too. 

“Golf is a really mental sport,” she said. “You can really get in your head, and it can affect how you play. I realized that I just need to take deep breaths and laugh it off.” 

Linford still has two more years at Riverton, so she hasn’t yet made definitive post-high school plans. However, she does hope to eventually play golf at the next level while pursuing a college degree. 

“I’m not sure what my plans are after high school, but getting a golf scholarship would be really fun,” she said.  λ