Three chances to get out on the course offered Escalon’s golf girls the opportunity to work on all aspects of their game this past week.
“Monday we scrimmaged Livingston at Rancho Del Rey (par 32),” said coach Kristie Cathcart. “Not the greatest outing, but a chance for the girls to see a long course. Five of the six have played before, but have only played at Escalon. Mikayla Schut is the only returner from last year’s team.”
League action started for the Lady Cougars on Tuesday, Aug. 21 on the home course at Escalon. They took a tough one-shot loss to visiting Argonaut, 182-183.
Sarah Abraham shot a 44 to lead the team, with Ella MacKinnan next with a 45. Sylvia Guevara and Kara Kennedy each came in at 47, Mikayla Schut had a 49 and rounding out the effort was Ella Adams with a 50.
“Unfortunately, we started league with a loss. It wasn’t the greatest round for us, especially when both myself and the girls know they can play better,” Cathcart said. “I think it was a little wake-up call for them. The team worked really hard on their short game (50 yards and under) at practice on Wednesday.”
That effort seemed to pay some dividends as Escalon dropped their score by 11 strokes on Thursday and took the win against visiting Waterford, 172-238.
“Waterford is new to the league this year,” Cathcart said.
Abraham had another solid effort to pace the team with a 40 on the afternoon. Schut had a 42, Guevara 43, Adams had a 47 and Kennedy had a 48. MacKinnan was ill and not available to play.
“We played much better. We will not be able to beat the better teams, Ripon and Bret Harte, with this score but we will be very competitive with the other teams in our league,” noted Cathcart. “Sarah has been very consistent and is doing a really good job.”
The coach added that she anticipates Ripon and Bret Harte to be the top teams in the league and both will be very hard to beat.
“We have a really good chance of beating the other teams in our league as long as the team keeps improving and continues to grow their confidence in their ability,” Cathcart said.
The girls will be at home Thursday, Aug. 30 to host Ripon; they were scheduled to also play in an 18-hole tournament on Monday and had a match on the road Tuesday prior to the home game against Ripon.
