Girls Golf Season Comes to a Close

The Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) girls golf team, coached by Ryan Throop, has a record of 4-11 for the 2025 season. Their final match took place Monday, Oct. 20. Coach Throop said that, “our team is led by Sage Malmsten and Kaya Ziets. Sage is often the medalist. They’re both seniors.” He continued with,“We have six seniors on the team, three sophomores and one freshman.” As their season went on, their game performance wasn’t the greatest Throop said. For three of the seniors, this is their first time playing, however, “the sophomores and freshmen just continue to get better.” He said that their main weakness is experience. “It takes a while before you get good.”

Kaya Ziets, one of the team captains and key players explains, “In matches we play with two other girls from the other team, and one other girl from our team.” She continues, “Our team’s strengths are being able to work together…by giving each other tips and cheering each other on.” She believes that during games, she can get in her head a lot. Throop believes that, “Golf is a game of frustration…oftentimes the ball doesn’t go where you want it to…So their strength is their determination to continue.” Since there is no referee on the course, the girls have to be honest about their scoring. Even though they may not be winning, the whole team is committed to trying their best.. Throop said that the San Marcos and Dos Pueblos teams are both well coached, and in addition to this their teams are experienced. Ziets remembers their previous rival game against San Marcos, saying, “It was one of our best rounds as a team.” Most of them had never played on the Sand Piper Golf Course before this game, which she said, “Made it a tough match.” She continued that her most memorable game was at River Ridge in Ventura. It was their first win of the season. Zeits said, “There was a lot of excitement!” Throop said, “I’m gonna miss the seniors…. And I’m  excited for next year.”