As the spring sports season commences once again, the Laguna boys golf team gears up for another round of challenges and triumphs on the greens.
Golf Coach and French Instructor Valerie Yoshimura, who has been coaching both the girls’ and boys’ golf teams for over three years, shares her goals for the team this coming season. “For this upcoming season, I would really like to see some clear leadership emerge. I’d like to see some of the kids who have been now heading into their third year really kind of get a quantum leap of improvement in their shotmaking and in their joy of the game and their attitude towards it and ability to recover from a bad shot,” Yoshimura said.
Hours of focused practice and improvement are needed to master the golf swing, learn the short game, and read greens. As golfers work to develop muscle memory and perfect their swing, they are always seeking consistency in their execution.
Junior Ethan Carrington, who’s been on the team since freshman year, reflects on the season ahead. “I hope as a team we make it to the team CIF, and also individual CIF,” said Carrington.
Golfers also have to deal with a wide range of variables that can affect their performance on the course, from unforeseeable weather conditions to the intricacy of the course conditions.
Beyond the physical aspects of the game, boys’ golf also presents a mental challenge. Although each sport provides emotional obstacles, golf is known to be especially taxing. As golf is a solitary sport, success depends on overcoming self-doubt, controlling emotions in the face of difficulty, and keeping a positive outlook despite the ups and downs of each shot.
“I think my number one goal is to get the boys to understand that the way that they respond emotionally, really makes or breaks their game. I also just love watching them when I can give them a little fix, and then it connects,” Yoshimura said.
Senior Griffin Rick shares how he overcomes these mental boundaries. “In navigating this issue, I’ve found that cultivating confidence is paramount. Building trust in my own abilities has been instrumental in overcoming the emotional strain of golf” said Griffin.
