For Rick Hardison, the UIL State Golf Championships today and Friday in Austin are sure to be filled with emotion.

Win or lose, the Plano West boys and girls coach will be saying goodbye to the school's greatest class of golfers.

The group has combined for five state tournament team appearances.

Of his eight senior starters, seven will continue their golf careers in college.

Hardison is sure the other senior, John Rosener, could play in college if he wanted.

"We have a very gifted group," said Hardison. "And they are great kids, too. I'm going to miss them.

"I'm also going to miss the parents. We've grown close the last few years."

Plano West will be making its third straight state appearance in the Class 5A boys division, having finished third in each of its previous trips.

Their slogan this week: "Third time is a charm."

Plano West returns last year's starters intact. It finished eight strokes behind The Woodlands, which won a playoff against Fort Worth Paschal for the 2007 title. In 2006, Plano West finished three strokes out of a playoff for the title won by Paschal over San Antonio Churchill.

"Our boys haven't been far off in either of their previous trips," Hardison said.

Traditionally, the winner of the Bart Granger boys tournament in Fort Worth in the fall wins a state title the following May. Plano West won the Granger last fall.

Hardison is aware of the Granger history. He also knows first-hand about the talent level at state.

"There are a lot of good kids down there," said Hardison, "but we have as good a shot as anybody."

Unfortunately, Plano West's state experience is negated somewhat by this year's move from the Roy Kizer Course to Jimmy Clay. Though they are located in the same complex, the courses are not that similar.

"Kizer is more of a links course," Hardison said. "If I had to compare the Clay Course, I'd say it is a lot like Sherrill Park No. 1 in Richardson."

Plano West's girls are making a second straight state appearance. They finished seventh last year. Three senior returnees have been joined by freshman Michelle Chen and sophomore Katelin Walker.

"With these kids, I don't have to tell them to work," Hardison said.

UIL Class 5A State Championships, 7:30 a.m. today and Friday, Jimmy Clay Course, Austin