Mustangs continue to chip away

Costa Mesa High girls’ golf coach Tom Baldwin is aware that his school isn’t known as a golf school.

It was evident when Baldwin had 19 golfers on his team last year, many of whom were first-time players.

But what Baldwin is looking for is improvement, and he said the Mustangs should be better this year.

“We only won two matches last year, and a lot of kids all got to play,” said Baldwin, a longtime football coach who is in his second year as girls’ golf coach. “We’ll be a little better this year, because we have some experience coming back.”

Among those who gained varsity experience last season are senior Maggie Moss and juniors Shelby Farris and Cayley Camarillo.

In addition, senior Julia Jarolawski, who played as a sophomore but sat out last season, has been playing well, Baldwin said.

Sophomore Chrissy Camarillo has also shown the ability to contribute as one of the team’s top five scorers.

Junior Courtney Wright is yet another player with experience in the program.

Baldwin said he was also impressed by the play of sophomores Lindsey Slaney, Patty Juan and Jamie DiPerio, all of whom played on the junior varsity as freshmen last year and are vying for varsity spots.

“We should be improved, I just don’t know by how much,” Baldwin said.

Costa Mesa is in the new Orange Coast League this year, which, for golf, also consists of Estancia, Laguna Beach, Westminster, Ocean View and Orange.

“Laguna Beach is a golf school,” Baldwin said. “It will make the league stronger.”

The Mustangs posted their first league victory Thursday, when Farris earned medalist honors in a 245-266 triumph over Westminster at David L. Baker Golf Course in Fountain Valley.

Farris shot 11-over-par 42 in the victory, which was also made possible by contributions from Moss (46), Chrissy Camarillo (49), Cayley Camarillo (54) and Slaney (55).

The Mustangs’ 245 team score against Westminster represented a huge improvement.

Their previous best, 292 in a league-opening loss to Laguna Beach on Wednesday, was the first time the team had broken 300.

Costa Mesa enters this week 1-3, 1-1 in league.

Baldwin had planned on having an even more experienced roster, but seven seniors subsequently elected not to participate this season.

THE MUSTANGS

Cayley Camarillo Jr.

Chrissy Camarillo So.

Jamie DiPerio So.

Shelby Farris Jr.

Julia Jarolawski Sr.

Patty Juan So.

Maggie Moss Sr.

Lindsey Slaney So.

Courtney Wright Jr.

Coach: Tom Baldwin

(second year)