Golfers adjust to new rules that speed the pace of plays

The golf team poses after a match on September 18th against Palo Alto

With a new rule change, the athletes have been adjusting to faster games.

Since the golf season started during mid-August, players have been adjusting to a new double par rule that has been introduced this season, drastically increasing the speed at which tournaments move.

Par is the number of strokes that proficient players are supposed to play a hole in. Now, with this new rule, the maximum number of shots a player can hit is double the par.. For example, a par-4 hole would allow a maximum of eight shots before players must pick up their ball and move on.

“The game moves along a lot faster this year, so it’s a bit different, but it helps the less experienced,” sophomore Millie Wang said. “Our travel team players are also more consistent, as they are all shooting around the high 40s.”

The team, coached by David Gragnola, has a 3-3 record as of Sept 29. The team lost to Lynbrook 215-213, but beat Gunn High 255-223 — the team that is first in the SCVAL-De Anza league.

“It was a pretty big accomplishment and a morale booster that we won against Gunn, since they’re usually pretty good,” junior team captain Sarah Lim said. “It was a nice way to start off the season.”

Although the Falcons have lost one of its key players last year, Class of ‘22 alumna Ananya Seth, the team bonds have not suffered and are stronger than ever, Wang said. The golf team is planning fun events such as having a karaoke together during the winter break, when everyone isn’t as busy.

“I feel like I’m closer with my teammates now than last year when I was new to the team, so I feel more connected,” Wang said. “We bond over bus rides and talk about school.”

Wang and Lim believe that it is possible for the team to make it to League finals, and even CCS.

“Last year we made it to CCS as a team, which was the first time in a few years, and so this year, I think we have a good chance of getting in,” Lim said.

Lim also looks forward to all the future home games at the Saratoga Country Club, as they practice there everyday.

“Being at our home course is really helpful because we’re more used to the course,” she said. “I’m also excited because matches are always a good place to bond with your teammates.”

For personal goals, both star players — Lim, who ranks No. 2, and Wang, who ranks No. 1 — hope to get into CCS individually. Wang hopes to finish top three in states, since she finished fifth last year. Like Wang, Lim has high hopes to make it to CCS.

“I’m really looking forward to this whole season, just getting to know new players and competing again is really exciting,” Lim said. “Overall, I think it’ll be a great season.”