Four returning players from last year’s varsity team will lead the Escalon Lady Cougar golfers on the links this season. They include seniors Mikayla Schut and Kara Kennedy, along with juniors Ella Adams and Ella MacKinnon. The squad also includes sophomore Jianna Cereghino, who played last year, and freshman Lucy Allbaugh.

“We have seven JV girls also, four sophomores and three freshmen,” said head coach Kristie Cathcart. “They will have a couple of matches and a tournament at Escalon on Sept. 25.”

Cathcart pointed to Ripon as being the top team in league this season and the one that other teams are likely to be measured against.

“They are good,” the coach said. “If we can beat them it would make our season.”

Recent action saw Escalon defeat Linden, 167-186 at the par 32 Escalon course on Aug. 26.

Scores were: Mikayla Schut 39; Lucy Allbaugh 42; Ella Adams and Kara Kennedy 43; Ella MacKinnon 47; Jianna Cereghino 52.

“It was our league opener. Not bad scores, but we will still have room for improvement,” Cathcart said. “We will beat most teams with this score. Need to take off at least 15 strokes if we hope to beat Ripon.”

Thursday, Aug. 29 the girls traveled to the par 36 Castle Oaks course and topped Argonaut, 207-218.

Scores included: Schut and Allbaugh, 48; Adams, 55; Kennedy 56; MacKinnon 65; Cereghino 68.

“We lost to Argonaut on their course last year. They have three strong returners so I was expecting the scores to be closer than they were,” noted Cathcart. “Lucy and Jianna have not played this course before.”

The girls did well, most shooting better scores than they did last year on the course, but the coach said the squad still needs to work on its putting game.

“We are off to a great start,” Cathcart added, noting that the team was scheduled to play Waterford on Sept. 3 at St. Stanislaus and host Amador at home Thursday, Sept. 5.