On Sept. 14, West Ranch’s girls golf team competed in their first league match of the season at the Vista Valencia Golf course. The girls played against all the schools in the Foothill League. Due to COVID-19, everyone was required to wear a mask and golf in groups of three. Players and coaches were advised to social distance. Parents were allowed to come and watch the girls compete as well. 

       In this match, the top five best scores of each school were added together to get the team’s total. The match’s top performers were West Ranch’s Eunice Yi (junior) and Ashmita Goel (sophomore) who both shot a one over 32 for the 31 par course. With the help of their fellow teammates, West Ranch came in for a 172 in total. This score easily won the match for the Wildcats.The runner up was Valencia High School with a 184. For the rest of the schools, Hart finished with a 205, Golden Valley with a 279, and a 261 for Saugus high school. 

      The Paw Print interviewed two freshmen players, Savannah Westlake and Michelle Hyon, about their experiences in the first league match of the season.“It was my first league match but it was really fun to play against other schools again,” said Hyon. 

      When asked about her biggest strength of the day, Westlake said, “I believe my biggest strengths were getting onto the green or my t-off shots.”

     For their first time, both Hyon and Westlake put up respectable scores with Hyon shooting a 46, and Westlake shooting a 45.

     Coach Holen, the golf team’s head coach, discussed how it felt to be back in matches again.

     “This is the aspect of coaching that I like, it’s being able to interact with not only our team but other teams. And to see the girls out here participating outside again is a great opportunity not only for us to enjoy the outdoors, but also to be back in the competitive spirit.” Holen said, “ We are a young team with some tournament experiences outside of high school golf.”

     Overall, the girls’ team played amazing and the Paw Print wishes them the best of luck in their upcoming tournaments and matches. Go Wildcats!