While most Naperville Central students were finding their lockers and settling into new class schedules Thursday, Aug. 13, the Redhawks girls golf team was already on the course.

The team competed at the Plainfield North Invite at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club in Yorkville, marking the first competition of the 2026-27 school year for Naperville Central athletics. The school's athletic office announced the start on X, writing, "Girls Golf gets us starting today at the Plainfield North Invite at Whitetail Ridge."

The Redhawks enter the new season as one of Naperville's established girls golf programs and will again compete in the DuPage Valley Conference. Last season's team included senior Ashika Patel, who was one of Central's top golfers during her career. Patel finished fourth individually at the 2024 DVC championship with a 78, while Central placed fourth as a team.

With the 2026-27 season now underway, Central's girls golf team will be among the first Naperville high school teams to get meaningful competition under its belt.

This week in Naperville sports

Friday, Aug. 14 — Naperville North Blue & Orange Night, celebrating the Huskies' fall sports programs at North Campus, 899 N. Mill St.

Friday, Aug. 21 — Naperville Central football opens its season at Wheaton Warrenville South. Naperville North football opens at New Trier.

Saturday, Sept. 5 — North Central College football hosts No. 2 Bethel University at noon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville. North Central's official schedule lists Bethel as the No. 2 opponent for the season opener.

Naperville Park District fall registration

Naperville Park District's Autumn 2026 program guide is available online. Resident registration began Aug. 3, while nonresident registration began Aug. 6.

Fall Naperville Youth Basketball registration for residents begins Tuesday, Sept. 1, at noon, with nonresident registration beginning Sept. 3.