This year’s 2021-2022 boys and girls golf team is certainly something to look forward to.
“The goal is to always be playing better at the end of the season than the beginning but I’ll probably have to revamp the goals because these girls are playing great right now,” said Mark O’Bryan, the math teacher and girls golf coach.
The first girls game started Monday, August 23, and they began with a spark and a tie. Despite not winning their first game, they won their second.
The girls team, seven time Arizona state champions, is different than last year due to the exit of a lot of seniors, but that doesn’t take away their determination to perform well.
“I assume we are going to go to state and perform well,” said Paige Hammarstrom, a junior who has played golf since her freshman year.
Because COVID-19 restrictions are no longer in place, sports teams can participate in the events they missed out on last year, have spectators, and play without having to follow social distancing rules.
With new players on both teams, training and bonding are key. The team has high expectations for this season.
“We have a really new team, a bunch of young kids, lost a bunch of our seniors and top players, but hopefully we’ll do well and make it to states,” said Alex Herkamp, the number 9 ranked high school golfer in Arizona.
According to The National High School Golf Association, the boys team is ranked number 12 in the United States.
With high expectations and strong starts, the teams look forward to a smooth season and state championship wins.