Freshman thrives on girls’ golf team

Youth is adding strength to the girls’ golf team. The team’s new No. 1 player is freshman Janelle Jin, who had established a strong reputation even before the season had started.

“We had heard about her before she even came out to the team,” said junior Raina Kolluri. “We expected a lot from her when she came to tryouts, and she fulfilled our expectations.”

Besides Jin, the top six consists of sophomore Sarah Lo at No. 2, junior Anya Herne at No. 3, Kolluri at No. 4, junior Cynthia Yang at No. 5 and senior Ankitha Sarvesh at No. 6.

Jin first began to foray into the sport two years ago at the encouragement of her father.

“My dad would bring me to places such as Blackberry Farms,” Jin said. “He started forcing me to play golf, but eventually I began liking it.”

Jin started playing more seriously this past summer. As a member of the Saratoga Country Club, the location of the team’s home course, she was able to practice and get used to the course. Coached by the resident PGA tour professional, Micah David Hall, she played about three hours of golf there almost every day of the summer, and participated in the Saratoga Country Club Junior Team.

Two years ago when Jin first played at Saratoga Country Club, a par 68 course for 18 holes, she shot in the 100s. Now, after hours of practice, Jin has cut down her score to average in the 70s, a remarkably fast progression. As the team’s top player, she has already shot the match-high scores for all of the team’s first five matches. The team’s record stood at 4-1 as of Sept. 18.

The team won two matches against Wilcox High School on Sept. 8 at Saratoga Country Club, and Sept. 9 at Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club 224-226 and 241-361. Jin shot 37 on her home course, and 44 at Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club. (All golf matches are for nine holes, with a typical par being around 36 shots.)

The team also won a match against Monta Vista High School at Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club 221-272, with Jin shooting a 41. The Falcons’ three-game win streak ended with a 228-229 loss to Los Gatos at Saratoga Country Club on Sept. 14 with Jin shooting 39. They rebounded with a 212-252 win against Homestead at Sunnyvale Municipal, with Jin shooting 41.

The team played Palo Alto High School on Sept. 22, and Lynbrook High School on Sept. 24. Due to printing deadlines, the  Falcon was unable to cover these games in the print issue.