Tony Gabrik
Senior Harper Szpur teeing off on hole three at the PG Links
Carmel defeated Pacific Grove 212–258 in their latest league matchup at PG Golf Links Thursday, September 18th, but the Breakers still walked away with several notable highlights and achievements that define the early season for PG.
Freshman standout Jenny Johnson finished the match as overall medalist with a 4 under par round, which marked her round of the year so far to lead the Breakers. Senior captain Harper Szpur followed closely with an even-par 37, with both athletes besting Carmel’s top two players. “Harper and Jenny are two of the top players in the entire PCAL,” Head Coach Martine stated.
Over the past four years, the girls golf team has seen considerable growth in the number of players since the pandemic. In 2021, the team started with just two golfers, where it has now grown to have twenty golfers tee off this season, which marks the largest roster in PG history. This year’s team has a handful of athletes from each grade level, with half the team being made up of sophomores. “I take pride in making sure that all of our golfers get to play in matches during the season so that they can enjoy some competition on the golf course and earn their varsity letters,” Coach Martine said.
Along with Johnson and Szpur, Laila Armstrong and Caitlyn Livingston contributed consistent rounds, which Coach Martine credits with aiding in several team victories so far this year. Additionally, the match saw two new golfers Junior Claire Rodas and Sophomore Ariana Abedini earn Varsity letters.
The program has benefited from strong leadership, including assistant coach and former all-league golfer Megan Ayers (PGHS ‘23), and Captain Harper Szpur, who recently committed to play golf at Walla Walla University. Coach Martine shared that “These girls have put PGHS golf back on the map” and that he is extremely proud with how “our community and alumni have stepped up to help us revamp our program and promote the game of golf in Pacific Grove.”
The Breakers are looking forward to their rematch with the Padres, which is still looking to be rescheduled. In the meantime, Coach Martine is committed to making sure the traditional rivalry stays strong as the team heads into the second half of the season.