Pali High Golfers Win First League Match

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

When you have one of the best high school players in Southern California on your team, you have reason to be optimistic. Add to the mix three seniors who all contributed on a championship team last season and what do you have? A juggernaut.

That is Palisades’ girls golf team appears to be this fall, especially after beating its biggest threat Granada Hills by nearly 40 shots during the schools’ league opener last week at Woodley Lakes in Van Nuys. Coach Dave Suarez knows not to take any opponent for granted, though. He learned that in the spring when his heavily favored boys team got upset in the City finals.

Junior Anna Song, the reigning City individual champion who shot a record six-under-par 67 in the finals at Balboa in November, took medalist honors last Wednesday with a one-under 36 over nine holes—the only player in red numbers.

“She could shoot par in her sleep,” Suarez said. “Anna is so accurate off the tee and if you hit the ball straight, this course is for you.”

Turning in the second-lowest scorecard was senior Dylan Nuss, who shot a three-over 40. Fellow seniors Maya Otero and Katie Kim shot 43s, Chloe Suh shot a 44 and fellow sophomore Skylar Monahan shot a 45. Rounding out the Dolphins’ lineup were juniors Hailey Sugarman (51) and Amanda Brown (54). Freshmen Jordan Detweiler and Chelsea Sargent will compete for varsity rounds as well. Depth? Palisades has it in spades. Nina Gumapas (46) was the Highlanders’ low shooter, followed by fellow senior Kaylee Kang (47), who played in a foursome with Song and Otero.

Otero fired even par at Encino, her favorite course, in a loss to Oaks Christian on August 29. “Our team is like a family and as captain I always look to stay positive,” Otero said. “I struggled with putting today but it’s nice being alongside Anna. Watching her play is fascinating!”

With the West Valley League down to only three teams this fall (Palisades, Granada Hills and El Camino Real), Suarez decided to beef up the schedule with Southern Section teams like Harvard-Westlake, Brentwood, Oaks Christian and Marymount. The City Championships are Thurrsday, Nov. 2 at Balboa.

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