Varsity girls golf breaks record in victory over Sacred Heart Preparatory

After+putting+the+ball%2C+Katherine+Zhu+%2811%29+watches+her+ball+as+it+rolls+into+the+hole.+The+girls+set+a+team+score+record+in+a+183-194+victory+over+Sacred+Heart+Prepatory+on+Wednesday.

Michael Sikand

After putting the ball, Katherine Zhu (11) watches her ball as it rolls into the hole. The girls set a team score record in a 183-194 victory over Sacred Heart Prepatory on Wednesday.

by Michael Sikand, Social Media Editor

The varsity girls golf team won its third match of the season against Sacred Heart Preparatory 183-194, recording the team’s lowest score ever at the Los Lagos Golf Course.

The girls broke their previous record-low of 189 on Monday at a home loss against Menlo School. They then played Mercy Burlingame High School, beating their opponents 194-234 on Tuesday.

The evening’s top scorers included Vanessa Tyagi (11), Katelyn Vo (9) and Katherine Zhu (11), shooting 39, 35 and 31, respectively.

Vanessa Tyagi (11), who shot a personal record on Wednesday, described the team’s mindset entering the competition.

“Coming into the match, we were all kind of nervous,” she said. “We lost on Monday and knew that today was going to be another difficult round. I think that once we teed off and got our groove going, nothing could stop us.”

The victory over Sacred Heart Preparatory marks the girls’ third victory of the season, advancing the girls golf team to a 3-1 record in the West Bay Athletics League (WBAL). After qualifying for CCS last year for the first time in a decade, the girls golf team looks towards attaining the coveted qualification again.

Co-captain Alexis Gauba (12) noted the efforts of the team and the experience of playing against other high school teams.

“The team’s efforts came through as we were able to gain a victory and shoot a record low 183,” she said. “It’s always great being able to compete with fellow golfers in the Bay – we don’t just compete but we also get to know each other and have a good time.”

After the girls recorded a win and a loss against Sacred Heart Preparatory last season, a small rivalry developed, which contributed to the team’s more competitive focus and mindset during the match.

Co-captain Vienna Wang (12) reflected on the victory in relation to the competition.

“[Sacred Heart Preparatory] is a very strong team, and they beat us once last year. I think the competition really drove us to do our best, and our record score reflects that,” she said. People say golf is an individual sport, but I truly think that our team works really well together.”

The girls are set to tee off against Castilleja School on Monday at 3 p.m. at the Palo Alto Hills Country Club.