Breakers appear strong again

Looking to build on the successes laid down by its predecessors, the Laguna Beach High girls’ golf team takes its first swing of the 2016 season Tuesday.

The Breakers begin their new campaign with a new head coach and host Crean Lutheran in a nonleague match at Ben Brown’s Golf Course in Laguna Beach.

The Breakers are coming off a terrific 2015 season. They finished fast and completed a 14-4 year which included a 12-0 run to the Orange Coast League championship, the third consecutive league title for the program which has gone 36-0 in that span against their league foes. The Breakers also played in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division team playoffs.

Laguna this year will be under the direction of Coach Jon Hendrickson and has one returning starter, Sarah Hollinshead, in the lineup. Hollinshead was an all-league performer last year as a freshman.

Laguna Beach Girls’ Golf

League: Orange Coast

CIF Division: Southern

Head Coach: Jon Hendrickson (1st year)

Coaching Staff: Sean Quigley; Lori Hathaway.

2015 Record: 14-4 overall/12-0 league (champion)

2016 Varsity Roster: *Sarah Hollinshead, Soph.; Ella Jarrard, Soph.; Kennedy Roller, Fr.; Saejah Barrack, Fr.; Claire Gershensen, Sr.; Kenya Ripley-Dunlap, Fr.; Claire Knill, Soph.; Claire Smithers, Soph.; 9. Emma Scott, Sr.; Summer Scott, Jr.; Abby Bekken, Soph.; Taylor Luecke, Soph.; Anna Madigan, Soph. (*denotes returning starter).

Returning with Honors: Sarah Hollinshead (second-team all-league).

Coach’s Outlook: “I’m excited to be taking over for Scott Finn as the girls’ golf coach in 2016,” Hendrickson said. “We have a new crop of players who are excited to learn the game and improve on their skills. It’s going to be a great year.”

Keys to Success: “Everyone has a different definition of success,” Hendrickson said. “We only have one returning starter (Hollinshead) so as far as wins and losses go, we’ll see. Our success will be demonstrated through the improvement of each girls’ skill level and the camaraderie between the players and coaches.”

The Schedule: “I think we will be competitive in our league and that Sarah Hollinshead will compete for the individual league title,” Hendrickson said. “She’s only a sophomore and started playing golf last year but she’s got a great swing but more importantly, a great desire to improve and lead by example.”

Season Opener: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, vs. Crean Lutheran (at Ben Brown’s Golf Course).

Girls’ Golf Schedule

Wednesday: Crean Lutheran, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: *Calvary Chapel, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 15: Portola, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: *Costa Mesa, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 21: at *Saddleback, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 22: at Laguna Hills, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 26: at *Estancia, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 28: at *Calvary Chapel, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: *Saddleback, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: at *Costa Mesa, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 5: *Estancia, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 17: Orange Coast League Finals

Oct. 18: Orange Coast League Finals

Oct. 24: CIF Individual Regionals

Oct. 31: CIF Team Divisionals

Nov. 3: CIF Team Championships

(*denotes league match)