Young ACHS girls’ golf team takes its shot at success

ELIAV APPELBAUM/Acorn Newspapers ON PAR—The Camarillo High girls’ golf team is eager to defend its Pacific View League title this season. Scorpions pictured in the front row are, from left, Chloe Colon, Chelsea Reed, Rachel Schinbein and Cassie Sullivan. In the second row are Tesara Santora, Jennifer Swanson, Robyn Danieley and Alexis Chatfield. Coach Bill Dowden is in the back. Jakaela Andrade is not pictured. Four years ago, Chloe Colon tried out for the Camarillo High girls’ golf team.

During tryouts at Camarillo Springs Golf Course, Colon earned a varsity spot—by one stroke.

“Thank goodness,” she thought to herself.

Now one of two seniors with the Scorpions, Colon will try and help Camarillo defend its Pacific View League title, or at least try and qualify for the postseason.

“I think we do have a shot at the playoffs,” Colon said. “We have a lot of girls with natural talent. I think we’ll make it.”

Head coach Bill Dowden, the only girls’ golf coach the school has known, presides over a successful program.

In 11 seasons, the Scorpions have won seven PVL titles, finished in second place the other four seasons and qualified for the playoffs every year.

This might be his toughest test.

“This year we’re rebuilding,” the longtime coach said. “I feel we’re highly capable of continuing our playoff streak, although we have a lot of girls who are new.”

Jennifer Swanson is Camarillo’s only other senior. Colon and Swanson said they enjoy playing with the five newcomers.

“I’m excited to be playing with the new girls,” Swanson said. “They’re doing pretty good and accomplishing a lot of good things.”

Colon described this team as “energetic and hardworking.”

Juniors Robyn Danieley and Cassie Sullivan will contribute. Sophomores Chelsea Reed and Rachel Schinbein supplement the starting lineup.

Tesara Santora and Jakaela Andrade—both sophomores— and junior Alexis Chatfield round out the squad. Joe Carroll is a first-year assistant coach.

After three weeks of practice, Dowden likes what he has seen from the Scorpions.

“They’ve shown tremendous improvement,” he said. “They’re coachable, and they have great attitudes. The new girls really like golf and are interested in learning the game.”

The Scorpions have worked primarily on their short game, everything 100 yards and in, including chipping, putting and bunker play.

Katrina Sutton, a 2004 ACHS graduate who played golf at Fresno State and Cal State Northridge, works at the pro shop at Camarillo Springs.

Sutton said a group of Scorpions played a round on a recent Sunday.

“That’s rare to see girls practice on their own,” Sutton said. “To get better, you have to have motivation in yourself.”

Sutton said Dowden is an excellent coach.

“Mr. Dowden makes it a lot of fun,” the former Scorpion said. “He’s just strict enough, but he lets us do what we want. . . . I think Mr. Dowden is a pretty great coach. He’s been successful, and he always comes out on top.

“He’s always been a great teacher. He gave me so many tips. Golf is very relatable to life; it teaches you a lot of life skills. Mr. Dowden stressed how to be a better player and how to be a better person as well.”

Sutton said Dowden shows patience with girls, whose scores tend to be higher than boys, and that he knows how to make players feel more confident.

“Girls play a slower game,” she said. “He would say, don’t pay attention to the other players, just focus on your own game.”

Camarillo’s seniors hope to lead by example.

Swanson, who would like to play in college, stressed the importance of practice.

Like all her teammates, Colon is working on her short game. Colon, who started playing golf in sixth grade, said her strength is hitting the ball well on the fairway.

The senior enjoys golf’s perpetual challenges.

“It’s one of those sports where you have to continually practice if you want to be good,” Colon said.

“It’s one of the few sports you can play your whole life and still not be the best you can be. It’s definitely hard work. It keeps you going.”

Although the Scorpions have plenty of hard work ahead of them—league match play begins Tuesday at 2 p.m. against Channel Islands at River Ridge Golf Club—the players are putting in the work required to develop into a successful squad.