LJ g golf: Preview

Katie Graham (blue hat), one of the top six
returning Viking varsity golfers, with fellow
LJHS golfers before practice August 16.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

"One swing at a time."

That's what Chloe Kim, who has improved her golf game from last season about 10 strokes over nine holes, takes as her philosophy.

Kim, now a sophomore, was prepping for a practice round late Thursday afternoon, August 16, at Mission Bay Golf Course, with a noticeable breeze cooling everyone down after a month-long heat wave that baked San Diego.

The unfailingly courteous Kim, who also pole vaults for La Jolla High, is one of the six varsity returners for the Vikings this fall.

She stayed after team practice Tuesday evening, August 14, to play 30 more minutes on her own. The extra time on the course is paying off measurably.

Number one is senior Brea Tyrus, a dedicated, serious leader. "She leads by example more than by what she says," said head coach Aaron Quesnell at Tuesday's practice on the same course. The senior Tyrus' alter ego, the ebullient, ambassadorial Ariela Feinberg, a fellow senior, is the team's big sister or mom who checks in with everybody.

"They're a good combination for our team," Quesnell said of the Tyrus-Feinberg axis.

The others in the Viking top six this year include juniors Olivia Krasuski and Amalia Parzen, and senior Katie Graham.

"Our goal for Brea is state regionals this year," said Quesnell in assessing his returning top golfer. "She'll be playing with the other teams' number one. She's mentally tough, so she can handle it.

"She has continually improved her game over the last four years. She's not a super vocal person (but she'll lead by example)."

Krasuski "is in Poland right now. She'll be back," said Quesnell. "She will be looking to rebound. She had a tough year (in 2017). She will be looking to play more up to her abilities."

"A strength she has is she can drive the ball really well. She has a good striking ability. She's smart. She manages the course really well."

Parzen "can drive the ball really well," as well, according to her coach. If she can get consistent this year, she has the potential to be really good."

Regarding Feinberg, Quesnell commented, "She's a consistent golfer. She doesn't drive it far. She manages the course. She's a good general, all-around golfer with a great attitude. Ariela is very outgoing."

Kim "had a great finish to her season last year. She has improved since last year. She is striking the ball better. She has probably improved 10 shots over last year."

Graham "has improved over last year, she is around a 10 handicap," said her coach. "We're working on her consistency. Consistency in bunkers. As golfers get older, they don't get as riled up over a difficult situation." The implication is that Katie is growing in this area.