Golf team pushes for growth and improvement

While the Green River High School golf team's season is already underway, the team is always looking to keep growing and learning.

"I'm excited to see improvements from our returning players that put a lot of work into the summer," Head Coach Karly Eyre said. "We also have an eager group of newcomers excited to push for more opportunities."

Coach Eyre explained the veteran team members among the girls add leadership and drive, while the new and younger boys add eagerness. She also said the quick start and shorter season for golf create challenges, especially for the inexperienced players who have to learn to overcome quickly. The golf season can also bring unforeseen adversities for all the players.

"The main focus for the athletes is learning to focus on the things they can control and adjust their game plan to the things they cannot," Coach Eyre said.

Despite the challenges starting out, the season has gotten off to a good start. Coach Eyre was proud of the team's showing at their first tournament in Star Valley, and felt that the tournament in Evanston last weekend was a great opportunity for the athletes to challenge themselves and test their course management. 

The Evanston Invite saw improvements from the team. Nearly all of the boys team improved from day one to day two, with the biggest jump being a 20-stroke improvement by Senior Tyler Castillon. Castillon was the day 2 leader for the boys, while Freshman Weston Green was the overall leader on the boys side with a two-day total of 187. Another notable improvement was a seven-stroke swing from Freshman Jacoby Bundy. 

"On the Lady Wolves side, Sophomore Mylie Mele once again showed her capacity to endure no matter what the round brings," Assistant Coach Danielle Salas said of the Evanston Invite. "She always pushes herself to improve. Mylie finished 64 strokes better than she did at this same tournament only one short year ago."

Isabell Salas battled through illness in Evanston, according to Coach Salas, and was still able to claim the top medalist spot with a 25-stroke victory and a six-over par, with a two-day total of 150. 

"Her score cards were the wildest we've ever seen and included nine birdies, one eagle, one quad and several bogeys," Coach Salas said.

Isabell Salas was also named the Wyo Preps/Blue Cross Blue Shield Female Athlete of the Week for her commanding performance at the Star Valley Invitational.

"As a coaching staff we are pleased with the growth and consistency our entire team has shown in such a short amount of time," Coach Salas said.

The hope is that the whole team will just continue to improve through the season.

"The team members are working on a champion's mindset, course management, and always improving team culture," Coach Eyre said. "Some goals for the rest of the season are to see leaders rise, the team culture to build into a reliable support system and for our kids to break into the top spots at conference on our home course. We should see individual success at the highest level and would love to see the team succeed and surprise the field."

The Wolves also teed up this week at the Casper Invitational on August 21 and 22, which Coach Salas said was a good chance to see the talent in the 4A class, which is where the team will compete starting next fall.

Green River's only home game this season will take place September 8 and 9, when the Wolves host a conference tournament.