The Aragon Dons girls varsity golf team (8-2 overall) defeated both the Carlmont Scots (5-5 overall) and the Burlingame Panthers (10-0 overall) on Oct. 21 in the Peninsula Athletic League Qualifiers at Poplar Creek, securing a spot in the Central Coast Section playoffs. Aragon’s team scored a total of 214, while Carlmont and Burlingame scored 227 and 236, respectively.
Aragon’s scores were led by senior Kate Chong and junior Vicky Ferrero with a score of 38 and 41 respectively. They were followed by senior Hannah Lin with a 43, junior Ariel Ogawa with a 44 and junior Autumn Ogawa with a 48.
“The team as a whole did really well,” Ferrero said. “This is the best score we had in the regular season this year.”
The Dons golf team has a history of good seasons in recent years as well, with varsity making it to CCS for the past three years. As such, the match carried added pressure for many of the players on the varsity team.
“We were anxious about the match because we wanted to go to CCS and we wanted to beat the other teams,” Ferrero said. “Our performance can still be improved, but we’re on the right path.”
Head coach Mike Loy shared the same sentiment, highlighting the team’s consistency and growth throughout the season.
“Watching each girl practice and really trying hard to be better is the best part,” Loy said. “Players have had time to bond and teach each other.”
For players, the season has also been an opportunity to develop confidence and to refine technique.
“When I started playing this season, I struggled a lot with my chipping and putting,” Chong said. “Throughout the season I improved a lot … This helped me lower my score.”
However, golf also presents a mental challenge for many players.
“Golf is really difficult not only because of the sport itself but also the mental component,” Ferrero said. “Sometimes when I don’t play well or when my opponent is impolite, I get angry and that leads me to play even worse.”
Other players agreed with frustrations that come with the sport.
“I still need to work on controlling my emotions when I play,” Chong said.
Beyond just individual improvement, the team chemistry plays an important role in the team’s overall success during the season.
“At first most of us were a little shy, but practice after practice [led] us to become not just teammates, but really good friends,” Ferrero said.
Chong also highlighted the success that having a team can bring.
“Golf is seen as individual, but in high school matches, it becomes a team sport,” Chong said. “Everybody tries their best and cares a lot about the team.”
Loy also believes that the team’s dynamic is vital in propelling them forward, emphasizing the dedication the players have to the sport.
“We are the only high school in the league who has summer practice,” Loy said. “Golf is a presence game, if you don’t continue playing, you lose your skills.”
Other players shared similar sentiments and pride in their team.
“Every school knows Aragon is a strong team,” Ferrero said. “We will continue being a strong team.”
The team earned ninth place in the CCS Championships on Nov. 4, ending their season.
