Expectations the same as beginners tee it up

September 3, 2009 • written by Kimmie Aralar

This year, the Girls Golf team only has eight members.
Although half the team graduated last year and only four new members have joined, Coach David Baptist expects great things.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they were playing at a higher level than last year.
he said. “Every season there’s a progression from how you begin and end. The scores we’re shooting now are good and I think they’re going to become great.”
With half the team as beginners, practice can sometimes be challenging. As a sport that takes skill and patience, there is much to be learned beyond the basics.
“[A beginner] is like a person who doesn’t know how to play basketball,” Baptist said. “You could give them a ball and they’d know how to shoot and to play, but it’s not like playing the game until you put them on the court.” With new players, even moving around the golf course becomes an issue.
Despite some challenges, Baptist believes that the “talent and commitment of the team is the same.”
With the help and encouragement of their coaches and other teammates, the four new members are improving their skills as the golf season progresses. “I want to be the next Tiger Woods,” said freshman Lauryn Lau.
Having fewer members can also benefit the team. “We’re more a team,” Junior Anne Wang said. “[It] makes it easier to train and move around the golf course.”
Having less girls could also help each player improve their skills. “[It] gives more time to play and allows for one-on-one time with coaches,” senior Arianna David said.
“Every season we get beginners, the trick is making it not intimidating,” Baptist said.
As for their current progress, Wang says, “as long as we try, we’ll do really well.”

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