New Piedmont High School girls golf coach Marvin Vitatoe doesn’t want to limit what his players can do.
“They all have promise, they all have abilities,” Vitatoe said. “It’s just a matter of how good they want to be. The main restriction on how good you want to be is your accessibility to the game. With many great junior programs here in the area, you can get there. A few of the girls are members of the country club.
Two who are pretty good already are at the top of the ladder. Senior Mei Assalian made the North Coast Section Division 1 tournament last year, facing many of the top players in Northern California. She qualified for the event by shooting an 88 at the NCS Division 2 championships, finishing 18th .
“She has played golf pretty much her whole life,” Vitatoe said. “Definitely an all-around game. She can hit the long ball, she can chip, she can putt. Iron striking is a premium for her. She’s got all the mechanics and all the skills to be whatever she wants to be. She can definitely play at the next level.”
Right behind her is senior McKenzie Seto-Nguyen, who also qualified for the NCS Division 2 championships last season. “Pretty much same thing (as Assalian),” Vitatoe said. “Not many limitations there. Again, a very solid player.”
Junior Peyton Watson is new to the Highlanders golf team this year after playing flag football a year ago. She is also a top lacrosse player. “She is a really good athlete,” Vitatoe said. “She has a lot of power. She can hit the ball a long way, she’s got a big, beautiful golf swing. She doesn’t have as many reps as Mei or McKenzie right now but the more she plays, the better she’ll get.”
Gracey Anne Hatchell is a freshman and should score points for the Highlanders. As an eighth grader, she competed in mountain biking. “She has a very positive attitude,” Vitatoe said. “She has the ability and has been around the game. She takes a lot of classes at the country club. Always looking to find something new to improve her game. “She has a no-quit attitude. Always open, very coachable.”
Junior Charlotte Silver also has skills. “From what I can tell, she has been playing the game a long time,” Vitatoe said. “She has all the ability in the world. The more she plays, the better she will be. Great demeanor. Super-positive. Always wanting to know more, always wanting to be better, striving to improve day-to-day. She’ll get there in no time.”
Vitatoe said junior Jameson Sanford will probably be No. 6 on the ladder. “Just a really sweet golf swing,” he said. “I’ve seen her hit balls longer than anybody. Just a matter of building up that confidence, building up those callouses.”
Sophomore Mariah Lane is also in the mix. “Very much one of those people who can pick up any sport and do it. She’s an incredible athlete. Has all the fundamentals down.”
Piedmont opened the season by splitting in a three-way match on Aug. 28 at Tilden Park Golf Course. Assalian was the low score with a 39. Castro Valley shot 220 as a team with the Highlanders next at 248 and Berkeley third at 253. Seto-Nguyen shot a 45, Watson a 54, with Silver and Hatchell each shooting 55.