Freshman golfers set new program records

Prior+to+putting%2C+freshman+Kacie+Moon+places+her+ball+during+practice+on+Thursday%2C+Sept.+2.+Moon+shot+31+in+a+match+against+Niles+West+on+Aug.+24%2C+breaking+the+previous+school+record.+Photo+by+Jiya+Sheth

Prior to putting, freshman Kacie Moon places her ball during practice on Thursday, Sept. 2. Moon shot 31 in a match against Niles West on Aug. 24, breaking the previous school record. Photo by Jiya Sheth

After jumping off the bus and running to the first tee box, freshman Kacie Moon did not have time for her typical pre-tournament warm up. In fact, Moon had no warm up at all before the first swing in her first high school invitational at the 12-team Conant Invite at Fox Run Golf Links on Aug. 18.

Eighteen holes later, Moon tied for second place with freshman Alexis Myers, another one of the team’s three freshmen.

With the help of Moon and Myers, the team took first place with an overall score of 310, setting a record for the lowest score in program history.

“I didn’t know what the previous record was,” said Moon. “Then I was like, ‘Oh my God. We just broke a school record.’”

Four days later at the Libertyville Invite at Shepherd’s Crook Golf Course, Moon placed second shooting 73, and Myers placed first shooting 70. Co-captain Yoolae Rho shot 78, and freshman Kaylee Hwang shot 86. The top four scores out of the team’s six scores added up to an overall score of 307, breaking the record they had just set.

At their next meet, Moon shot 31, four under par in a match against Niles West, the best nine hole score in program history.

According to Mike Schroeder, head girls varsity golf coach, everyone on the team has helped set these new team records.

“To get those low scores we not only need the freshmen to go low, but we need contributions from our veteran players, which we’ve been getting,” Schroeder said.

Despite setting individual and team records, Myers is still looking to improve her game and shoot lower scores.

Having a better knowledge of the courses they play will help achieve the lower scores she is working towards, Myers said.

“I want to improve my short game,” said Myers. “A lot of course management situations have cost me strokes.”

According to junior Hannah Oh, she is proud of both Moon and Myers for all their work and effort this season, despite the pressure they have put on themselves to consistently shoot even or under par.

In the CSL Varsity Girls Conference Tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 22, the team placed second with a score of 323. Individually, Myers tied for second place overall shooting 74, and Moon tied for fifth place shooting 78. Rho shot 82 to tie for ninth place.

“GBN girls varsity has never made it to state,” said Moon. “And I definitely think this year we can do it.”