It’s a game of honesty, patience, and courtesy.
It’s the game of golf.
The Granite Hills girls varsity golf team has already kicked off their 2009 season and although the team has fallen to the 12 player Tulare Union high school varsity team during early Sept. and they only plan on working harder to beat other East Yosemite League teams.
Senior Mariela Calderon
Photo by Marissa Martinez
“Playing golf is just fun because I get to meet new people,” said senior said Mariela Calderon. “I met all my teammates and people from Monache and Porterville so far.”
Calderon played golf her freshman year, but decided to take off her sophomore and junior season. However, she is back and ready to play her game this year. Calderon believes that team mate Christina Guajaca is her best competition. But, with lots of hard practice Calderon believes she can be up to par with Guajaca and all of the other seniors at the EYL high schools.
“My goal is to be the number one player and maybe be number one in EYL,” said Calderon.
This year’s team consists of six players – Bailey Conlly, Brook and Alexis Qulling, Maira Ramirez, Guajaca, and Calderon. Last year the team had to do with just five players. But, no matter how small the numbers are coach Richard Boyd is always willing to teach girls the game of golf. Boyd has been the varsity golf coach for three years and plans on coaching for many more years to come.
Coach Boyd is having the girls focus on get their swing down – he believes technique is what is important.
“In the golf there is a 100 different things you can do wrong [with your swing],” said Boyd.
By the end of the season hopefully many girls will have a better swing down and a better understanding of the game. The girls practice Monday – Friday from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Porterville golf course. And although the girls are not running miles or swimming laps the girls are practicing over a hundred swings a week in at least 94 degree weather.
Coach Richard Boyd working on the perfect swing.
Photo by Marissa Martinez
And in addition the girls will be building up their back and leg muscles all throughout the season. According to Ezine Articles the golfer’s hamstrings are very important along with the quadriceps and upper back muscles. However, a golfer’s forearms should also be in good shape.
It’s safe to say that the girls will be in great shape by the end of the season if they just practice the correct technique.
And when it comes to equipment the Granite Hills athletic department has it all covered.
The girls will each have their own set of clubs – for range and for putting. The girls will also have a polo shirt with shorts to equip them for the season.
“I’m really excited to put on my uniform and just play my game,” said Juajace. Juajace is one of the few students at Granite that is playing multiple sports – water polo and golf.
The Lady Grizzlies will have home games every Tuesday and away games on Thursday. Admission for home games is free for spectators.
