By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

Calling it the “best team” he’s had in his five years with the Juan Diego Catholic High School girls golf program, head coach Jason Andersen has the squad in position for the Region 10 title.

“These girls want to learn and listen and we’re changing the culture,” he said. “The vibe around the team is incredible and we’re super excited. This group could win region.”

Four-year varsity player (who is this year’s captain) Shayne Farnsworth leads the seven-member team who have won two of their three tournaments so far this year. 

In its first tournament this season in St. George March 18-20, the Soaring Eagle squad placed second, “fighting hard through some tough conditions,” according to Andersen. 

At their home course Mountain View March 24, Juan Diego won by 47 points led by Farnsworth who won medalist honors with a career best round of 83.

On April 13, the team won a region tournament at Cedar Valley. “I was very proud of the girls who battled some bad conditions, but pulled it out,” Andersen said.

“This season is going amazing and is very exciting,” Farnsworth said.

Juan Diego also pulled out a one-shot victory at Uintah April 23. “The girls had a tough day, but they battled hard and pulled it out.”

Freshman Grayson Gagnon is currently second in the region with a scoring average of 91 while three others also rank in the top 10 in region scoring: freshman Ashley Cutshall is third with a 95, Farnsworth is fourth with a 97 and sophomore Cabria Walters is ninth with a 97.

“This season has definitely been one to remember with so many ups and downs throughout the year, but as a team we are doing very well,” Walters said. 

Walters said Andersen has helped the team with the technical aspects of golf while also focusing on the mental side of the game—such as not playing “scared golf and being confident in the shots you take”—which has made a clear difference for Juan Diego the past few years.

“Coach Andersen has helped all of us so much,” Walters said. “He is hard on all of us, but at the end of the day I can truly say that he cares about us more than we will ever know. We couldn’t ask for a better coach.”

Also on the team, which is currently in first-place in Region 10, are sophomore Saydia Worrall and freshmen Jazmin Asmar and Zoe Pappas.

“I’m very proud of the girls,” Andersen said. “The girls want to work hard and get better.”

Juan Diego is also scheduled to compete in tournaments at Uintah, Ben Lomond, Ogden, Stansbury and Tooele before the 4A state tournament May 12-13.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and practice and really just focusing and having goals in mind to finish this year,” Farnsworth said.