Staying on top is CdM’s focus

“Last year was the best team I’ve ever had,” said Corona del Mar High

girls golf coach Mike Starkweather, whose team reached the CIF

Southern Section team finals for the first time.

Is it back to mediocrity for the Sea Kings, or are they capable of

taking things a step farther?

Corona del Mar graduated four seniors from last year’s team in

Michelle Albrecht, Maggie Nelson, Katie Albright and Caitlin

McDonald.

But because a talented group of players have joined the team,

Starkweather, in his ninth year coaching the squad, believes the Sea

Kings can improve on last year’s success.

“I really think this team could be better than last year’s team,”

he said.

Key newcomers to this year’s team include sophomore Katherine

Hanson, junior Courtney Wright, senior Kelly Kwata and Jessica

Milner. Terese Heinfeld also has the potential to make the varsity

squad. Wright came out for golf as a freshman but then decided to be

a cheerleader.

“She finally realized she wanted to play golf again, and we’re

glad to have her back,” Starkweather said.

Leading the way for the Sea Kings is returning senior Katie

McKitterick, who reached the CIF Individuals Tournament last year.

McKitterick, the Pacific Coast League runner-up last season, is

expected to be the team’s No. 1 golfer this year. She had the lowest

score in team tryouts recently, shooting a 41 and a 35 in two 9-hole

rounds. McKitterick is joined by varsity returners Jonna Kim and

Michele Drucker.

Corona del Mar will have its hands full in a tough Pacific Coast

League that also boasts University High and Tesoro High.

“I think the Pacific Coast League is without question the best

girls golf league in all of CIF,” Starkweather said.

Does Corona del Mar consider itself a contender for the league

title?

“To win the league championship would be a great goal,”

Starkweather said. “But we definitely look to be in the top three and

go as a team to the CIF finals and get some girls to the CIF

individuals.”

Starkweather believes both McKitterick, who has already been

there, and Kim have a good shot at reaching the CIF individuals. He

also believes this team could reach unchartered waters for the

school.

“The key word is potential,” he said. “We have the potential to be

better than last year.”