The Brookfield Central Girls Golf season has been off to a fantastic start, placing first or second in every tournament they’ve played in. They have swept their Greater Metro Conference mini-meets, going undefeated all year, and winning the title of conference champions for the sixth year in a row.

The team has traveled as far as Illinois to play and succeed among a pool of competitive teams. The achievements of the next generation of BC golfers is undeniable as Bonnie Jin (‘19), Sami Krutz (‘20), and CJ Romero (‘21) have all fired personal bests that rival the top varsity players of schools around the state. However, as the season winds down and playoff season commences, the four seniors on the varsity squad (Emily Balding, Lexi Romero, Emma Whitfield, and Sophia Sun) reflected on the unique bond they have formed.

Balding, the team captain, has been an integral part of the team as a leader as well as a friend. “Throughout the year I play in many tournaments both in and out of state, but I especially look forward to the high school golf season and spending time with my teammates.

Whether we’re having a putting contest or eating ice cream at Culver’s, I can always count on my teammates to brighten my day,” she said. “This year we have a very competitive team, and we’ve had a lot of success already. But, the best part about our team is that no matter how we play on the course, we’re always there for each other. Even on the hardest days, I can’t be around them for more than a few minutes without smiling. I truly couldn’t have asked for better teammates or friends and I look forward to the rest of my senior season with them and the many memories to come.”

For Romero, high school golf means four years of friendship. “Golf has meant so much to me these past four years. My team means more than the world to me! The four seniors especially have been there since the beginning, and I’m so blessed because without golf there’s no way I would be as close with them as I am now,” she said. She commented that the end of her senior season brings bittersweet excitement for the future. “All of us together have only improved from year to year, and it’s amazing to see where everyone is right now. I can’t wait to see where the end of the season takes us!” she said, alluding to future meets at regionals, sectionals, and state.

These four seniors have played together for the past four years. They have spent hours together every fall at every single practice, every single tournament, every long van ride, and every hot tub session during travel meets. They have seen each other through the best of times, like qualifying for state by a single stroke in the sectional playoff hole against Franklin, and the worst of times, as golfing is undeniably one of the most frustrating sports that exist. Not all the girls will be pursuing golf at the collegiate level, and the last few weeks of their high school seasons will be full of bittersweet memories.