Macie Gutierrez is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover northern Arizona golf for AZPreps365.com

The Coconino Panthers boys golf team hosted BASIS Flagstaff at Continental Golf Club while the girls hosted players from Flagstaff, Mingus Union and Lee Williams on Oct. 1. Both teams from Coconino won, with the boys varsity leaving with a final score of 178 and the girls with 223. 

Langley Martin, who coaches both the Coconino girls and boys teams, was pleased with the Panthers' efforts, a carryover from practice.

“It’s really fun to have 22 kids practice all together,” Martin said. She mentioned that they often compete against each other in practice which helps keep the team spirit and camaraderie up. 

Karsten McCain, the No. 1 player for Coconino, has been playing for 10 years. McCain said he enjoys the challenge of being the number one player.

“Just a little bit of pressure, but I’ve learned to deal with it," he said. "It’s definitely fun to be in that position.”

McCain ended the early October match with the lowest score of a 39. His best moment from the season was only a few weeks earlier when he shot his lowest score of the season, a 34. 

Jazmin Boyce, the No. 1 player for Coconino's girls team, posted a low score of 41. This is her fifth year playing after learning the sport through her family. She said she enjoys practicing with both the boys and girls because it “creates a great community of friendship.” 

Robert Evans, head coach at BASIS Flagstaff, said his team is coming together in its first season of offering golf. He said his son, Everett Evans, inspired him to create the team. 

“Looking where we are now, we are significantly improved and we’re gonna be good for next year,” Coach Evans said. 

On Oct. 2, the Coconino boys hosted Brophy, Pinnacle and Page at Flagstaff Ranch, a private course. The girls team hosted Prescott, Page and Flagstaff on the same course. 

The individual scores for the Coco boys were better than the previous day, with McCain finishing with a score of 36. It wasn’t enough to place first again, however, and the boys team placed third with a final score of 165. The girls also placed third with a score of 231.  

Although Boyce didn’t play as well as she’d hoped on this course, she was grateful to spend the day outside. “It’s a private course that we’re getting to play as high schoolers, which is an amazing opportunity,” she said.

Martin stressed the importance of keeping spirits high, and heads level. She talks to her players and reminds them that they have the potential to par every single hole they play.

“It might not happen every time, but they know they’re capable of that,” she said.