By Michael Oppenheimer
Aptos High School’s Girls Golf team has a coach who is proud as the proverbial papa bear after learning that his ladies earned the Central Coast Section Scholastic Team Championship.
“I am so very proud and honored to have coached these girls,” head coach Bill Tsudama said. “I knew this past year’s team was a special group.”
The girls won the title by earning the highest team grade point average (GPA) out of more than 130 schools throughout the CCS. This while earning second place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.
“[Our coach] always makes sure study is a priority,” said junior Michaela Marr. “He made sure we knew how proud he is of us for earning this.”
Joining Marr on the five-woman squad is Tai Li Harrill, junior, Mary Alexander, freshman, Stephanie Buecheler, junior, and senior Katie O’Gorman.
The Mariners finished their league season 5-3 and Tsudama had nothing but praise for his players
“This team is a special group of girls,” he said. “They practiced and competed to their full potential. They supported one another on a daily basis and made it a pleasure to coach every day.”
Tsudama has been coaching girls golf at Aptos since 2008, starting as an assistant under John Fuchs and taking over the reigns in 2011.
“Golf is not an easy game to learn, and can be quite frustrating at times,” Tsudama said. “It helps to have dedication and passion for the game, something all of these girls have.”
The teammates echoed this sentiment.
“I can’t remember a time I didn’t play golf,” said Alexander, who splits time between her golf and the debate club. “I’ve always loved to play.”
Buecheler and O’Gorman had similar stories.
“Mom and Dad played when I was little,” Buecheler said. “I played a lot with them, then one day I just decided I wanted to compete.”
O’Gorman, whose plans include a degree in kinesiology and eventually working as a physical therapist, is happy for the team, but will miss playing for Tsudama.
“It’s very cool that we could accomplish this,” O’Gorman said. “Bill’s an awesome coach. He’s been supportive of all of us since I’ve been playing for him.”
With only O’Gorman graduating, the Mariners are looking forward to challenging for the title again in 2014.