A lot of effort in the offseason is already paying some dividends for the Escalon Lady Cougars golf program. They have taken part in some preseason matches and tournaments and put together strong efforts along the way, and also won their league opener.
“For the first time, as far as I know, we had a summer program for the girls’ golf program,” said head coach Chris Casazza. “We called it Summer Range and we held it all summer, aside from the two-week dead period, twice a week for an hour and a half at the Escalon Golf Course.”
The coach said the girls could head out to the local course and hit as many range balls as they wanted.
“We also worked on chipping and putting,” he added. “It was great to get the girls on the course early and give them a head start on finding their swing for the season.”
He said there was good attendance, typically anywhere from four to 10 girls per session.
“An added bonus was that it encouraged the girls to get together and play rounds above and beyond the Summer Range sessions,” Casazza said.
There are a total of 14 girls on the golf roster this season, with five returning from last year’s varsity roster: seniors Genevieve Casazza and Rose Percey, juniors Elizabeth Allan and Taylor Bruns, and sophomore Samantha Bruns.
“Geneveive is a four-year varsity starter and our team leader,” said the coach. “We have four girls who are competing for the sixth varsity roster slot. I’m really excited by the team’s chances this year. We have a good amount of experience on the varsity squad.”
Along with senior Casazza, both Percey and Allan are three-year starters so the top three Lady Cougars bring plenty of experience to the course.
“Taylor and Samantha Bruns both made great improvements last season, and I’m hoping they continue to get even better,” the coach said. “Last season most of our losses were by fewer than 10 strokes. This is the year we turn those close losses into wins.”
The team started the season with a non-league match against a young Riverbank squad at the Escalon Golf Course on Thursday, Aug. 22. Leading Escalon in the 169-234 victory were Allan with a 37, Percey at 42 and Casazza at 44, Samantha Bruns with a 46. Playing, but not figuring in to the scoring, were Taylor Bruns at 49, Rogue Pultz at 54.
Monday, Aug. 26 the team competed in the Yellowjacket Invitational.
“It is a yearly 18-hole tournament hosted by Hilmar High School at Turlock Golf and Country Club. There were a total of 17 schools competing in the tournament,” Casazza said.
Escalon, with a team score of 420, placed sixth out of the 17 teams, beating out rival Ripon by one stroke for the sixth-place spot.
Carding scores for Escalon were Casazza and Allan each with a 98, Percey at 104, and Taylor Bruns at 120. Playing but not counting toward the final team score was Samantha Bruns at 121.
“Individually, Genevieve’s and Elizabeth’s score of 98 put them both in the top 20, tied for 16th out of approximately80 golfers,” Casazza noted. “I was very proud of our girls. Not only did they play and place well, they represented Escalon in the best way possible, with class and sportsmanship.”
League play started for Escalon with a home match against Sonora on Thursday, Aug. 29. It was a win for the host Lady Cougars, 169-188.
“The girls were feeling good going into the match, although some pre-match nerves were definitely present,” the coach said. “The girls were very proud of themselves for starting off league play with a win.”
Allan paced the effort with a 39, Percey at 40, Casazza with a 41 and Taylor Bruns at 49 were the scoring four; also playing were Samantha Bruns carding a 52 and Olivia Aceves, at 53.
“The win against Sonora matches our total league wins for the entire season last year,” Casazza pointed out. “I was very proud of them for their competitive mindset going into the match. There was a bit more focus and seriousness than I saw last season. I’m hoping that this mindset and performance against Sonora is a precursor of what this season will be like for the girls.”
And while they have already matched their league wins from last season, the coach said there’s more to be proud of with this squad.
“The Sonora coach made a comment during the match, letting me know that his team always loves playing Escalon,” coach Casazza explained. “He said his golfers appreciate how friendly, welcoming and sportsmanlike the Escalon golfers are. This is not the first time I’ve heard this about our girls from an opposing coach. I’m so proud of the way they present themselves on the golf course during a match. It’s something we emphasize: represent Escalon with class and sportsmanship.”
The girls were to play at Hilmar on Sept. 3 and go to Hughson on Sept. 5.
“The league is wide open this season, and I truly like our chances,” Casazza summarized. “With strong, focused play and a competitive mindset, we have as good a chance as anyone for a league title.”
