Golf anyone …? Makayla selected for the SCS Golf Championship

We are delighted to report that Makayla, Year 10, represented Domremy College in the Sydney Catholic Schools Golf Championship for U18 Girls and Boys, at St Michaels Golf Club in Little Bay, on 21 July.

Below is a report by Makayla of her experience.

Ms Rina Angilletta, Sports Coordinator

I am grateful to have been selected to represent Domremy College at the Sydney Catholic Schools Golf Championship for U18 Girls and Boys, and was excited to play at St Michaels Golf Club in Little Bay (near La Peruse), a prestigious private golf course, where access is restricted to members only, and one which is ranked in the top ten courses in New South Wales.

There were only seven girls in this competition, and in my playing group there were 4 of us; the girls were extremely talented, kind and encouraging. 

From the 1st hole, playing golf with my playing group honestly felt like a PAR-TEE! When we weren’t focusing on our shot, we were chatting about Year 11/12 subject selections, our personal lives and, of course, golf. When we talked about our home golf courses I realised that I wasn’t alone, at my home course I am one of two girls (under 18). My playing partner in the comp said she was the only girl golfer in her entire club! It is extremely hard to find girls our age in this sport, which made me appreciate this event so much more, as I got to make new friends my age to play with, and we exchanged numbers so we can play together at each other’s clubs. 

Playing there was a monumental shift from the public golf courses I’m used to playing at.

The putting greens were lightning fast, with breaks and slopes causing my ball to go racing in the opposite direction. Due to the depth of the bunkers, I couldn’t see the flag so I had to jump a few times to see where I was aiming. 

The SCS organisers were very supportive, following the groups around the course, to be there if we had any questions or needed help. The parents who were walking around with our groups were very kind, and I’m so thankful they were there, as they became our ‘ball watchers’ as it’s easy to loose your ball on this very hilly course.

As Jack Nicklaus once said “The game of golf is 90% mental and 10% physical.” So when I got a little bit frustrated with a bad shot (which happened more than once), I just looked up at the ocean waves crashing against the rocks that wrapped around the course, and the spectacular view simply washed my stress away.

I came to this competition with the intention of playing a game of golf, but I ended up leaving with new friendships, playing on a new course with breathtaking views, and learning a lot about how to improve my golf game. Such a phenomenal experience which I will never forget and I’m counting down the days until next year’s event! Makayla (Y10)