The sun rises, casting shadows on the dewy morning grass. The hum of the golf carts can be heard in the distance as golf balls are launched into the air with a metal clink. The varsity golf team is halfway through their season, having played in tournaments at Westlake, Hays, Vista Ridge and Hutto this fall.

For both the varsity girls and boys teams, reaching State is the goal, according to assistant golf coach Carlos Montoya, who has been coaching for 11 years.

“The real goal is for our girls team,” Montoya said.  We think they could make a good run for State, and the boys team can also put together a solid year and grow their games individually.”

Both teams have participated in tournaments since Sept. and will continue competing through Dec. Tournaments are open to spectators and are held Wednesdays at various golf courses in the area.

“The varsity boys team has been doing well, and the girls varsity team is doing good, too,” senior Ryan Breed said. “I hope that we can go to State and compete.”

The varsity girls have played in three tournaments so far this year and have played well, according to Miller. They just finished the State preview and finished seventh as a team. The team played their first tournament at Plum Creek, and the team finished second. Miller finished first, shooting a 62.

“We have a decent team this year,” Miller said. ”We have a chance of going to State this year like last year. We lost a senior last year but we added a freshman that’s holding her own as of now.”

On the varsity boys team, there are seven freshmen, one sophomore, two juniors and one senior. According to Breed, who joined the team during his junior year, joining golf is a great opportunity to have fun with a cool group of people. 

“I like how practice is, and the teammates are funny and chill,” Breed said. “I would recommend people to join golf because it is a fun environment and everyone is nice. I love the coach. He is the best and my teammates are really cool. I like golf because I started to play when I was younger and thought it was fun, so I kept playing.”

On the varsity girls team, there are two freshman, two sophomores, one junior and two seniors. According to senior Morgan Miller, who has been playing on the golf team since her freshman year, the golf team is looking for more players.

“I would [recommend joining] if you are looking for a more chill athletic program than most of the sports here,” Miller said. “You don’t have to be good at it to be in golf. It is a good sport to join, and no one judges how good you are.”

Golf takes place during fourth and eighth period every Tuesday and Wednesday, and the team practices at the Twin Creeks Country Club.

“The best thing has been getting to know so many great kids over the years,” said Montoya, “Seeing many of them go off to college to play and seeing even more of them having jobs as adults working in the golf industry. It has been great.”