By Tammer Bagdasarian ’20

The varsity girls’ golf team began the season with several division wins and a first place finish in the Mid-Season Tournament on Sept. 20. Program Head Marge Chamberlain made the decision not to include a JV team this year, so the varsity squad is made up of students in ninth through 12th grades. The team began training over the summer and started their season in the fall. The middle school team, a combination of seventh and eighth graders, will start its season in the spring.
The varsity team, which is composed of 14 athletes, competes in the Mission League. The team competes in division games, a mid-season tournament, a final tournament and the CIF championship. So far, the varsity team has a 6-0 record in division games and placed first in the mid season tournament. The team will play its next match on Thursday. Though other schools have dominated the Mission League in recent years, Chamberlain said she is not worried about the competition and is confident in this year’s team.
“I think that we have a really good chance at first place this year. We have a very deep roster this year, and our girls are some of the most talented I’ve seen in my career at Harvard-Westlake,” Chamberlain said.
Although golf is an individual sport, the program encourages camaraderie and teamwork. Daisy Wan ’20 said she shares a sense of unity with the team and believes the team has been working well together.
“I think that all the girls are really supportive of each other and we are all doing our best to help the team. I think it has been a great experience so far,” Wan said.
Even though the team is undefeated, Wan said that nobody wants to get overconfident. The team will play in the league finals starting on Oct. 20 and will participate in the CIF championships starting on Nov. 10.
“We have been playing well so far, but we’re not taking anything for granted. Every day is that day’s performance and anything could happen at any given time,” Wan said.
Last year, the team placed second to Notre Dame High School in the league finals and did not advance past the first round in the CIF tournament. Chamberlain has set a high bar for her team this year and said she believes her team is fully capable of delivering.
“My goal for the team is to place first in the Mission League and advance past the second round in the CIF tournament. I look forward to seeing what these girls can do,” Chamberlain said.