TAFT, CA – This season was a much different start for the women's golf team at Taft College. Former coach, Brandi Borjon, was unable to coach the team leaving the program with no one in place temporarily. Fortunately, TC Head Women's Basketball Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. stepped in towards the end of summer to keep the program rolling. Throughout his basketball career, he coached men's golf and tennis at two different NCAA D2 institutions in West Virginia. However, that was in 2006, eighteen years ago. Needless to say, this will be a learning curve and brand new for every single individual on the team.
In addition to Coach Lagmay spearheading the program, will be coaches Kanoe Bandy, Matt Olejnik and Dan Walters. There will be four coaches supporting the women's golf team in their own unique ways and specialties.
Coach Lagmay shared his remarks, "We are all so thankful for this opportunity to golf and will be by each other's side every step of the way. The student-athletes are a joy to be around. We have a full staff of other coaches besides me that are out there to support the program in every way. I'm a coach and former student-athlete that possesses lots of confidence, and my plan is to instill that to each individual during practice and match play."
Coach "Romeo" as he prefers to be addressed, is a great coach especially mentally. He helps with the mental game and helps to athletes to get out of their heads. He knows that golf is such a mental sport which is why he is so good at what he does and his unseriousness helps with that too. He believes in the girls no matter what and will do anything for the team. Freshman player Kara Gonzales said, "He tells us we are the best team out there, but we just need to back him up on that." Short in stature, yet his attitude and confidence for the team, he is the biggest person in the room. Gonzales added, "We are so glad that Coach Romeo stepped in and became our coach. We couldn't imagine it being someone else!"
Meet the Team (Coach Romeo Lagmay remarks):
Felicia Contreras- Felicia is from Clovis, California and she attended Edison High School. She is the only returner on this team, and she is a true leader. Playing in the number 1 spot, she has excelled shooting between 109-99 so far in past tournaments and will only continue improving. She holds the team together with her golf knowledge and experience. She loves her energy drinks, "The Office," and she will never fail to make you laugh. We are so glad to have Felicia on this team!
Kara Gonzales- Kara is from Shafter, California where she golfed for 4 years at Shafter High School. Playing in the number 2 spot, she has been shooting from 112-102 these past tournaments. She will also continue to improve with all the time and effort spent during practice. We say she is the "mom" of this team with the way she takes care of all of us and her preparedness. She is always doing homework but there is such a silly side to her that makes us all laugh. We are excited to have Kara on this team!
Raylene Hernandez- Raylene is a former Tiger from Wasco Union High School in California. She played golf for 3 years and is playing in the number 3 spot on this team. As a freshman, she has transitioned solid into the college level and is working hard on her golf game. These past few tournaments, she has made great strides from 114 and recently 95, and her season is looking bright ahead of her. She loves a good prank and will bring the energy for this team. We love our Ray!
Samantha Galvan- Sam is from Delano, California. She is fairly new to golf only playing in 3 tournaments during her senior year at Delano High School. Even though she is new to the sport, she is doing so well and plays on and off in the number 4 or 5 spot. Shooting a 123, 121, and a 125 in past tournaments, she will only continue to get better and improve. Sam was very quiet at first but now that we have gotten her out of her shell, she is so fun and there is no going back. She says the funniest things and is always watching her show "Castle" no matter what time of day it is. We are so happy to have Sam on our team!
Bella Carson- Bella, known as "Big B" on this team, is from St. George Utah. She has never played golf competitively other than playing with her family or friends because softball is her main sport. She has a true softball athlete, but she is equally a great golfer. Coming from softball practice in her whole uniform, she goes to golf practice and works so so hard. We know she will improve so much because she puts in the time and effort. No matter how the day went, she always comes with a positive attitude and a big smile on her face. We couldn't imagine this team without B!
Rylee Davis - Rylee attended Bakersfield Christian High School in Bakersfield, California. She did not actually play golf in high school, but she knows how to hit a golf ball quite well. She is very busy with her work where she coaches flag football at Rio Bravo Middle School. In her first match ever at Buena Vista Golf Course, she shot a 125, then went on to a 104 during another match. She may be new to golf, but her season looks very promising, and she is such a fast learner so we know it will only get better for Rylee!
Since beginning in early September, the team may have not had the best start, but they are up and coming. They have faced so many challenges already and facing them all together will continue to get better and better. With the help of a very supportive head coach, along with the rest of the staff, and the bond between the girls, they will get to where they need to be. Coach Romeo believes the players will represent Taft college well in all that they do, and this season will be one for the books. He goes on to believe in the mindset of not to overlook the golf team, because they will do great things.
The next matchup will be on their home turf during conference play at the Buena Vista Golf Cours in Taft on Thursday, October 10 teeing off at 12:00 pm.