Last year, San Marino High School’s girls’ golf team got a new coach.
You may remember that Matt Jiggins, a 1994 graduate of San Marino High School, was playing in a golf tournament alongside Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss a couple years ago.
“I mentioned in passing that if he ever needed someone to coach, I would have an interest,” Jiggins said. A few weeks later, longtime Coach Wyeth Collo accepted a sabbatical in Hawaii and Jiggins, a former Titan MVP, got the call.
This year’s tee prize? A new league.
Last year, the Lady Titans competed in the Baseline League, where they squared off with Upland, Chino Hills and St. Lucy’s. This year, a renaissance of the Rio Hondo League, where San Marino will match skills with South Pasadena, Temple City and La Cañada, with Gabrielino and Alhambra invited along to round out the score sheet.
“This is much more geographically desirable,” Juggins said on Tuesday as teams arrived at Alhambra Golf Course for the first day of league action. “The entire league will be playing here today and it’s nice to be going up against our old rivals. This is much better than playing in Upland, Norco and Chino Hills.”
No matter where they tee it up, the Lady Titans are tearing it up. San Marino recently won the inaugural Rosary Invitational Tournament and are entered in the Rainbow Classic in San Clemente. Tuesday, San Marino had four of five starters shoot under 40 as they smoked Gabrielino by 48 strokes. In high school golf, six golfers represent each team and the aggregate score of the top five represents the team.
“Everything is great,” Jiggins said. “We are very young this year having lost four seniors, but we have some very good younger players this year.”
Two of the best golfers in the school’s history, Bella Setio and Elizabeth Wang, advanced to Oregon and Harvard, respectively, but Jiggins, has plenty of firepower left in the barrel.
Senior Ada Wong is among the top golfers in all of Southern California.
“Ada is in a solid position as our number one player for her senior year,” Jiggins said. “She has one of the finest natural swings you will ever see and she is an excellent player.”
Senior Chloe Lok earned the role of captain for her years of dedication to the program.
“Chloe is a very consistent, hard-working and dependable player,” Jiggins said. “She is a treat to coach and have on this team. Chloe has an excellent attitude.”
Jan Estandarte, a senior, swims, plays water polo and sings in the Concert Choir when not on the links.
“Jan is a consistent player,” Jiggins explained. “She is a dependable golfer and a very talented young lady.’
Senior Megan Chang injured an ankle this spring playing softball but is expected to return soon to the lineup.
“We are looking forward to having her back,” Jiggins said. “Megan is hitting balls and I am hoping we can get her into a couple matches for her senior year.”
Just a junior, Ella Chuang was also named one of the team’s captains.
“Ella is hard-working and her game has improved greatly,” Jiggins exclaimed. “She was the low medalist at the Rosary Tournament and has been playing well. “I am looking forward to her game improving even more as she has dedicated herself to golf.”
Junior Courtney Lok provides a solid option for the coach.
“Courtney has an excellent golf swing and great fundamentals,” said Jiggins, who has a pretty solid game himself. “She is a pleasure to have on the team.
Sophomore Jacqueline Jeffries is a star of the future. Jeffries was medalist of Tuesday’s match, firing a 35 at Alhambra.
“Jacqueline is the most talkative, most inquisitive player we have on the team,” Jiggins said with a chuckle. “She focused on her short game last year and it really shows. “We are looking forward to her development.”
Freshman Glenda Chen shot a career-low 36 on Tuesday.
“She is an excellent player,” Jiggins added. “She is also a dual-sport player as she competes in volleyball, which is during the same fall sports season. Glenda is an excellent addition to our team and we are looking forward to her development.’
Freshman Jeannette Fu is an up-and-comer for the Lady Titans.
“She has extreme potential and we are focusing on her short game development,” Jiggins said. “Jeannette should be an excellent addition to the team for the next four years.”
Though most would consider the Lady Titans to be the favorites, strong competition can be found in border cities South Pasadena and Temple City.
“South Pasadena looks very strong and Temple City had three girls who played on the boys’ team this past spring because they didn’t yet have a girls’ program, so they are going to be tough.”
Jiggins added San Marino resident Ted Chester to the coaching ranks in an effort to give the Lady Titans a cerebral advantage. But at the end of the day, “it’s golf,” says Jiggins and everyone who has played the game. “You just don’t know day to day. But as far as overall consistency is concerned, we’re in good shape.”
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