The Monterey Lady Wildcats girls golf team saw its season end in the regional tournament last week.
Monterey made it to regionals after a historic regular season, completing the most 18 hole matches in school history. Monterey Head Coach John Looper said the girls rose to the occasion thanks to their preparation.
“We’ve had all year to know our strengths and weaknesses and be able to capitalize on our strengths and do what we’re good at,” Looper said. “[In] golf, you’ve got to be a very disciplined individual a lot of times.”
Looper said discipline in golf stands out as the most important trait. Looper said a golfer setting themselves up with a good drive can determine how much discipline is used for each hole.
“[A golfer has to know] when to take your medicine and know you’re gonna make a bogey and not try to make a hero shot and make a triple bogey,” Looper said. “Having that knowledge of your game individually is the biggest thing and knowing what I’m good at and what I’m not.”
Looper said every golfer prepares differently. Each golfer can hit a tee ball differently, set up a proper angle, or connect on an approach shot a nearly infinite number of ways. Looper said golfers ultimately decide on their approaches based on what each individual feels good about.
“[Decision making] is really an individual thing and knowing what you need to do for your game,” Looper said. “The old saying is, the hardest six inches in golf is between the ears and it’s definitely true. Keeping a good attitude, keeping a positive attitude, on top of which angle to approach the greens, different putts, it’s just a lot of mental games inside your own head you got to win.”
The Lady Wildcats ended their team season in the regional tournament. Payton Lewis qualified for the individual regional tournament. Lewis will begin play later this week.