Girls golf switches over to Pala Mesa

Fallbrook High School’s girls golf team will have a new home course this year.

A practice August 29 marked the first use of Pala Mesa by the Warrior girls team.

“It’s a hard golf course, but I think it could eventually be a good home golf course,” said Fallbrook coach Dave Heid.

No scores were kept of the players who participated in the practice that day.

Fallbrook’s girls golf team had previously held its home matches and practiced at the Fallbrook Golf Club, but new management at that course forced a change. “They couldn’t afford to donate the tee times to us,” Heid said.

“Pala Mesa’s been able to do that. I think Pala Mesa has more of a global vision in investing in youth golf,” Heid said. “Pala Mesa’s very accommodating. They’ve been very supportive.”

Approximately 25 girls tried out for Fallbrook’s golf team. “Some of them realized they were in over their heads right away,” Heid said.

Heid kept 14 players. Junior varsity matches are played if scheduled, although there is currently no official junior varsity team. “That’s one of the things we’re hoping to get in the future,” Heid said.

Those 14 players do not include injured seniors Amy Boren and Catelyn Coen, both of whom were on the 2005 squad. Boren has a shoulder injury while Coen’s back prevents her from playing. “If they can come back that would be great to have them,” Heid said.

The absence of Boren and Coen leaves Heid with three returning varsity players from 2005: seniors Jackie Kohls and Tarynn Shada and sophomore Nikki Kohls. “I think all three of them have a chance to advance to CIF as individuals,” Heid said.

“I think Jackie and Nikki both have a chance to be first-team all-league,” Heid said. “I think Tarynn has potential to be a second-team all-leaguer.”

The Warriors also have two sophomores who were on the varsity part-time in 2005: Samantha Everson and Melissa Grajek. “I expect them to be in the lineup,” Heid said.

Heid has assisted boys golf coach Steve Jorde in the past, and this year Jorde, who has in the past spent the fall season coaching Fallbrook’s football team, has taken a year off from coaching football and will assist Heid. “He’s freed himself up for the girls, which has been a great boon,” Heid said.

“The girls are real positive and working hard,” Heid said. “We’re just going to do the very best we can.”