Mount de Sales golfers get a much-needed win before the A Conference tournament

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

Reigning A Conference individual golf champion Lani Park and her Mount de Sales Academy teammates had not tasted victory this season until getting the better of Notre Dame Prep on Tuesday at Rolling Road Golf Club.

While all three of the matches against the Blazers were closely contested, coming out on top felt really good to the Sailors and coach Mike Duffy.

“It was a well-needed win, and the girls worked hard for it,” Duffy said. “We played better this season than our record indicated.”

Success can be measured in several ways, and for an MDSA squad featuring eight first-time players, there were a lot of rewarding moments this spring in terms of introducing newcomers to the sport.

For instance, the team’s top performers, Park and No. 2 player Jane Goodman, had the satisfaction of watching a pair of players win their first-ever exhibition match when junior Regan Burns and freshman Allison Martin prevailed against NDP.

Goodman said that part of the pleasure was getting to know the younger players.

“It was a super fun learning experience to watch them grow during the season,” said Goodman, who joins fellow senior Delaney Taylor and junior Park as the Sailors’ leaders. “I saw a lot of hard work pay off.”

Taylor, by the way, ended her season with great flair when she drained a 25-foot putt on the fourth hole against the Blazers.

Park also sparkled in a recent practice round when she carded a career-best 32 at the turn on the same course in Catonsville.

“That would be good for almost any golfer,” Duffy said. “She’s playing great right now. She hits consistently straight drives. She doesn’t make every putt, but she’s getting better and better at it. She does everything well.”

Last spring, Park’s comeback from a three-stroke deficit to edge Bryn Mawr’s Tatyana Smith, 76-77, for the individual crown was ignited by a birdie on the sixth hole at Fox Hollow Golf Club — the same site of the championship tournament scheduled for May 13-14 — that was just inches short of being an eagle.

Goodman said that she and her fellow Sailors, including juniors Bianca Mahoney, Anna Dodd and Ellie Bateman, are rooting for a Park repeat.

“She’s just so much fun to watch,” Goodman added. “I’ve learned so much from her. She helps me line up shots — she helps everyone on the team.”

In fact, Duffy said that he can trust Park and his other veteran players to mentor the rookies.

“At practice, (Park) will take a couple of newcomers and help them out,” he continued.

Duffy said that, from his perspective, this is the best the league has been.

“The league has the most talent in my eight years coaching here,” he said. “There’s more depth. Most teams go four-to-five good players deep.”

While depth will certainly help to determine if Bryn Mawr will retain its team championship at the season-ending tournament, Park will undoubtedly contend for individual honors.

“We’re hoping things go right in stride and she brings the title home again,” Duffy concluded.