Her first time on the course, three-year varsity golfer Lynyak plays at a disadvantage, but misses cut by just one stroke.
Three year varsity golfer Katt ’11 was the first student to ever advance to the Northern region individual tournament Nov. 3 in Ojai on the Soule Park golf course.
The tournament was Katt’s first time playing on this course, but she has been playing golf since she was about six years old and started entering into competitions when she was eleven.
Katt started playing golf as a way of spending time with her dad. A trainer soon realized she had potential, and started working with her on her game, said Katt.
“Because it was her first time at the course, she was at a disadvantage,” said Athletic Director David Collicutt.
“Not playing the course at least one time before greatly impacted my personal ability to do as well as I like,” said Katt. “It was a little nerve-racking.”
Katt missed the cut to advance by one shot. “I am extremely disappointed that I didn’t go farther. I feel like I let the school down by only advancing one round and missing by one stroke,” she said.
The process of making the tournament in Ojai was a long and complicated one, said varsity golf coach Laura Morrison. The school doesn’t belong to a league because the Sunshine League doesn’t offer girl’s golf, so Katt had to participate as a freelance golfer.
“There are a huge number of schools competing for the freelance competitions, said Collicutt.”Because there are no divisions in golf, it is all the schools competing against each other.”
“It takes a lot of effort,” said Morrison. Because Katt doesn’t belong to a league she had to apply and qualify for each playoff tournament. “I was impressed, she did all the applications and paperwork herself,” said Morrison.
Not only did Katt have to complete applications, but she prepares heavily for tournaments. She practices every day after school, has a lessons on Saturdays, and plays with her dad on Sundays.
She qualified for the first tournament, the individual Freelance Qualifying Tournament in Downey. This was Katt’s second time playing on this course because she qualified for this tournament last year.
“Playing the course before hand is a great advantage and one that I hope to utilize next year in the Ojai tournament,” said Katt. “It’s really more about being comfortable in the setting and with your game, which can significantly impact your game.”
