MBHS Girl's Golf: A Community Worth Knowing
As fall begins, we make our way into the playing season of many fall sports, one of which is girl’s golf. With a new head coach this year, Mimi Black, and Lena Karas, the returning assistant coach of three years, the team set out to get on the golf course as much as possible, playing three preseason scrimmages within two weeks. “So far we’re 3-0 in our preseason scrimmages, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens after this Monday’s [9/16] first league match,” said Black.
With just five league matches for the whole season, the girls’ goal to be a top finisher in the league is quickly approaching. Black said, “I have seen how the team has improved week to week,” and, “If we keep progressing on the trajectory that we have been on, I would love for us to be one of the top finishers in league.”
Not only has the golf team been focused on league finals in October, but they have also focused on coming together as a team and a family. When asked about what she has done to achieve the community we see in the team today, Karas said, “I think I brought the team together. For a while I wasn’t a coach as far as fixing someone’s swing goes, now I’m getting more into that kind of stuff but for a while I was just making everybody get along, just kind of camaraderie, more sportsmanship kind of stuff.”
On sportsmanship, Karas also adds details about how she’s observed the team change over time. “We have a lot less competitiveness out there but there’s a lot more sportsmanship, people are showing up a lot more, they’re not just focused on being number one, they’re focused on being a team and playing together,” said Karas.
The girls on the team have also noticed the team evolving in this way. JV team captain, sophomore Peighton Lopez said, “All the girls are so supportive of each other, we all love being out on the course together.” Senior Lucy Fortini also had lots to say on the subject matter. As the sole senior on the team, as well as varsity team captain, Fortini has seen firsthand how the team has changed over the years. “I love the golf team. I look forward to going to golf every day. Not just to play golf, but because I get to hang out with everyone, and everyone’s humor, everyone just bounces off each other and it’s just so unhinged,” Fortini said.
However, to speak of the team’s sense of community, the immense support of the Morro Bay golf community also needs to be addressed. Not only has the golf community verbally expressed their support of the team, but they have also dedicated time and resources to helping the girls.
“The ladies club committed seven new sets of clubs for our team, and the men’s gold club is holding a golf tournament fundraiser to raise scholarship money for us, as well as money for both the boys’ and girls’ teams,” said Black. She also mentions the support of the Morro Bay Golf Course itself, and said, “Without their support, there is no way that both our girls’ and boys’ team could exist. They selflessly offer the course and its facilities for our practices and all of our home games.”
“It’s really the best,” said Fortini, summing up the team. The girl’s golf team of Morro Bay is one of the best examples of a group who is not only dedicated to their sport, but of a group who is also passionate about providing the best experience possible for everyone who wants to give it a shot. The team’s sportsmanship shines through as they work their way through the season and its league matches. The overwhelming support of the community along with the passion exhibited by both coaches combines to make an incredible group of people who love to share that passion with others.
"Shoutout Coach Mimi and Coach Lena, you guys are the best" - Peighton Lopez