As the season starts back up, boys’ and girls’ golf have started up preparations for the upcoming year. With a new head and assistant coach for girls’ varsity golf, there is a lot of anticipation for both the teams.

Last year, the girls’ team tied for their previous best finish in school history in the AZ Division 1 State Tournament (6th out of 29 teams overall), and the team is working hard to maintain their status.

“We just kind of want to build up that structure of teamwork, developing their skills foundationally, and getting a lot of practice play in,” said assistant coach Stacey Etherington, “so that way they can work together as a team, and really build that dynamic where they’re helping each other out rather than making it an individual sport”.

This year, the girls’ team has a lot of new players as the 2020-2021 team was composed primarily of graduating seniors. The tryouts were a success, and this year’s team roster has a variety of grades, “we have a lot of underclassmen that are really new to the school, and I’m excited,” said senior Lili Stutz.

The boys’ team is led by returning Coach Mark Nold. The team is made up of two freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors, and three seniors. The boys team had only two seniors graduate this past year which should be a stabilizing factor for the team. “With a year of experience from last year under our belt, I like our chances,” said Nold.

“I just want to see us improve as a team. We want to get back to the state tournament, which is the top 12 teams. To do that, there are a lot of good teams out there so it’s gonna take a lot of work, but I think we can do it, “ said Nold. Last year the team had the opportunity to play in the Premier Region which has the most competitive teams; this year, they are striving to have an even more successful season.

“I’m looking forward to making state as a team this year,” sophomore Joe Houghton said. “I plan to prepare by putting more than I used to, and practicing more.” As for the team, he’s hoping to “putt the way that we need to”, said Houghton.

Both teams practice five days a week after school, at the Bear Creek Golf Course here in Chandler. Each week, there is typically either a match, which is between two to three schools, or a tournament, which consists of all of the high school teams in Division 1. Matches begin at the end of August and continue until the first part of November.