Beginning their official season, the Rancho Cucamonga High School girls varsity golf team won its first league game against St. Lucy’s Priory High School at the Glendora Country Club. The first league game was on Wednesday, Sept. 10, marking the start of girls golf’s third season in the CIF Southern Section and in RCHS’ entire history. With a score of 253-289, Rancho beat St. Lucy’s with the lowest amount of points.

Six RCHS golfers fought for their win against St. Lucy’s. Split into groups of three, two girls from Rancho played against two girls from the opposing team to see who could take fewer strokes to make it into the hole. This game’s lineup consisted mostly of returners: co-captains and seniors Emily Zhang and Chloe Vu, juniors Coral Robinson and Leila Robinson, sophomore Kayla Torres, and freshman Zoe Baham.

For the girls, the challenge was not set by their competition but the course. While there were flat areas, the course presented many more difficulties, such as narrow fairways, lots of trees and water, and hard-to-gauge fast greens (the areas nearest to the holes).

Leading up to this game, the team has been practicing together Monday through Thursday each week. According to Griffone, it is important to just get out and swing the club, making sure the swing stays the same.

During these practices, returners and new players work on technique, pacing, and predictability. The returners have been helping to mentor, and while the first league game only consisted of returners, the new players are getting the opportunity to play in the upcoming games.

Overall, the team’s focus has been on the growth of its players, both returning and new. Griffone took over as coach from Mr. Dale Rogers, and he’s continuing to push the girls this season with his love of coaching.

“If you know what your balls are going to do, then you can react to it and you can play better. I love the game and I love coaching the kids, it’s the reason I coach here,” Griffone said.