Hollister High girls golf team, from left, assistant coach Harvard Sung, Sophie Barton, Mikalah Montoya, Jasleen Bailey, Aiyanna Bailey, Davina Arias, Hannah Evans, and head coach Molly Orsetti. Photo courtesy of Hollister High girls golf.

Lea este artículo en español aquí.

History was made for the Hollister High School girls golf team when one of its members was the individual winner of a tournament.

Not only did the team become repeat champions of the Helen Lengfeld Memorial Tournament in Red Bluff on Sept. 28, but junior Mikalah Montoya was the first-ever individual winner/medalist in Baler coach Molly Orsetti’s tenure.

“It’s an awesome and incredible achievement, as well as a huge milestone for the program,” Orsetti said of Montoya’s win. 

Though the team will not be moving on to the Central Coast Section tournament this season despite finishing third in the league on Oct. 25, Orsetti said the performance at the Helen Lengfeld Tournament is worth celebrating.

The team of six all placed in the top seven at the tourney, Orsetti said. Senior Aiyanna Bailey tied for second, senior Jasleen Bailey placed fourth, senior Sophie Barton placed fifth, junior Hannah Evans placed sixth and junior Devina Arias placed seventh. 

The final team score was 458 to win the tourney. 

Orsetti said the team’s performance shows their hard work and the consistent improvement and growth of the program. 

“Every player made a contribution to get the win,” she said.

But Montoya was the top player that day—and she has only played golf since her freshman year.

Montoya recalled golfing at various driving ranges with her parents, adding that her older sister was on the girls golf team years ago.

Of the seven tournaments Montoya has played in, she said the Lengfeld was her favorite. She said she came into it without expectations of how she would perform, and it worked in her favor because “I pushed myself to do my best.” 

It was an opportunity to prove how she could perform, she said.

Because scoring was done online as well as on a physical scoresheet, Montoya said she knew she was in the lead and that it caused her to put some pressure on herself. Once her final round was complete, she said she approached her dad in tears, feeling she could have done a better job.

Then, she said, she found out she won and “it was all of the emotions.” 

Montoya said she was happy she had the chance to prove herself.

Throughout the tournament, Montoya stayed consistent and said she kept a focus on “one shot at a time.” 

Montoya said she wants to make sure she does not get too stressed about life and understands there are ups and downs. “There’s always a next day and next shot,” she said.

She said she plans to continue golfing through high school and would like to pursue a direct nursing program in college. She said it would be great to golf in college, but no matter what, she will continue for recreation. 

Two of her favorite golfers are Nelly Korda and Charley Hull, the No. 1 and No. 8 ranked golfers in the Women’s World Golf Rankings. Montoya praised Korda’s fluid swing, calmness and inspiring attitude, as well as Hull’s power, strength and determination. She said being able to look up to golfers like Korda and Hull is important for growth.

Orsetti said watching Montoya’s progression since freshman year has been impressive. “She progressed rapidly,” the coach said. Orsetti also praised Montoya’s ability to focus for 18 holes.

This is Orsetti’s 11th season as Hollister High’s girls golf coach. “It is so different every single year.” she said, because the players and chemistry create a different vibe.

The coach praised her team for having strong goals from the beginning, especially to make it to the CCS tournament. She also praised the girls’ maturity, saying they are able to joke around and have fun but have great focus when necessary. 

The team’s Instagram is @balergolf and website is www.golfsbga.com/schools.

Baler golfer Mikalah Montoya was the winner of the Helen Lengfeld Tournament in Red Bluff on Sept.28. Photo courtesy of Hollister High girls golf.

BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.

The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour and Taylor Farms.