Priyanka Shreedar
MC’s girls golf team had their tryouts last week on Aug. 25 and 26.
The team, co-coached by Jim Greci and Keith Leighton, is a fun, enthusiastic team who is always ready to learn.
Team Captain Savanah Wallace is a junior and has been playing golf for MC since her freshman year.
“It’s very fun, and even though our team isn’t number one, it’s a lot of fun to learn new skills and meet new people” Wallace said.
Though Leighton is new to the coacing program at MC, he has been coaching other sports outside of school for the past 15 years. He retired from the Navy in 2006 and is now a Special Education teacher at Abraxas High is a new coach at MC.
Greci, the other coach, started playing golf with his dad at the age of eight and has brought his love of golf to the students at MC. He has been coaching golf at MC for two years now.
“I love golf and enjoy helping young golfers learn about the game and seeing them improve their game,” Greci said.
Tryouts brought 10 new girls to the team, and they spent the two days working on various aspects of golfing.
Greci, Leighton, and Wallace believe that the team will be stronger and more experienced this season.
According to Leighton, the new girls had a fair amount of experience and playing time. Though their goals for the season include improving their standing this season, Coach Leighton believes that players should focus on self-improvement.
“Golf is a fantastic sport for many reasons: First, the main person you are trying to beat is yourself. Winning matches is always a good thing, but it isn’t the most important, every player out there is striving to do better than the time before,” Leighton said. “Second, because golf teaches character. Golf is the only game I know of where you are expected to call penalties on yourself, and it is considered beneath a player to do otherwise.”
Wallace acknowledged that the golf team here at MC should have more recognition and support, even though parents and students aren’t permitted to watch full matches.
“I definitely think it [girls golf team] should be better known. It’s fun and a really great experience. I love it,” Wallace said.
Many people at MC are unsure about the logistics of golf because it is different from typical high school sports. Also, many aren’t allowed access to games due to the rules of the course being played on.
“Golf is unique because there is no referee calling penalties, there is no ongoing scoreboard, the players are expected to show excellent sportsmanship to their competitor and also help them in certain situations,” Greci said
MC Golf has their first match of the season on Sep. 3 at Rancho Buena Vista.
