Despite defeat by league co-champion Gunn High School, three individuals to progress to league championships.
In its 2013 season, the girls golf team teed off with some big adjustments. Consisting of more freshmen than ever, the ten-membered team used its CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation Grant and Sports Boosters funding to buy new polos and, for the first time, team bags. In addition, it joined the newly-formed and tougher Santa Clara Valley League and finished its season 2-12, an improvement over last year’s losing streak.
On Oct. 17, MVHS played its final at senior night game at Deep Cliff Golf Course against league co-champions Gunn High School, which shared a near-perfect 14-1 record with co-champion Palo Alto High School. The match started with the senior night ceremony, which included a traditional exchange of cards and baked goods — but with an unconventional twist. On top of the seniors receiving gifts, they gave the freshmen cookies and cupcakes as per girls golf tradition.
“I think my season was fun — that was the most memorable thing,” senior co-captain Natalie Ng said. “I joined the team on a whim last year, and I don’t regret it. Golf gives a new perspective on when you screw up … I think that’s important. Golf isn’t about competing with other people — it’s about competing with ourselves.”
GHS’ team included last year’s NorCal qualifiers senior Jayshree Sarathy, who is committed to Yale University for golf, and junior Anna Zhou; both players shared the lowest score of the game with a birdie round — one under par at 29 shots. The Matadors lost 181-217, despite receiving their best score of the season. The top scorers were junior Anika Singh, Ng and freshman Amy Zhong, who received scores of 39, 40 and 42 shots respectively.
The players struggled at the fourth and seventh holes, with two bunkers at the fourth and a river and hilly green at the seventh. The senior group all missed three-foot putts at the ninth and final hole as well. However, the team achieved its low score with low scores from Singh, junior Hershey Sriraman, Zhong and Ng. Singh scored a birdie at the sixth and a par at the second and fifth hole and. Sriraman scored a birdie at first and par at fourth, while Zhong and Ng contributed pars at third.
Despite their loss, team members remained positive as they bonded and reflected on the season over their traditional post-game fries on the golf course patio.
“I’m looking forward to the next two years,” Singh said. “I think I can improve a lot, and the team can improve a lot.”
The top 40 individual players in the league by the end of season, evaluated by shots per game and weighted by course ratings, will continue to the SCVL championships. Based on their seed rankings before the match, 19th seed Singh, 20th seed Ng and 37th seed Zhong will likely play at Blossom Valley High School on Oct. 22 for an individual spot at CCS; however, their scores are not finalized until all league games have been completed.
“I’ve been pleased with Anika, who’s been consistent. Amy’s been getting good experience as a freshman, and Natalie’s been consistent all season,” head coach Brian Sullivan said. “There’s a lot of potential in our freshmen as well, they just need to get practice … I want to introduce them to golf, the etiquette and the social experience that comes with it.”
