Junction City’s Karla Castillo shot a career-best 45 over nine holes last Monday at the Lion’s Club. It was a good time to put everything together for the junior, who will lead the Lady Dragons into the 2A 6 District Tournament Tuesday, back at the Lion’s Club.
“It was by far the best and it was nice to have a match where everything came together,” said Castillo, who shot 52 at Highland on Wednesday.
Junction City coach Shelby Ward felt it was a matter of time for Castillo to lower her career-best score.
“Her first match this season she shot a 62 and has improved each week,” he said. “The last couple of weeks she has been sitting around 51 or 52 and finally pieced everything together to get her best round.
“She is just an athlete and works hard at everything she does. Cheer, golf, basketball and softball – she gives her best and I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Castillo credited her improved scores to the work she put in during the off-season and over the summer.
“I improved this year by practicing way more this year than I did last year,” she said. “I would go from basketball 7th period to cheer 8th period, to go and practice with my coach in an open area we have in Junction City for golf. I really didn’t have any energy by the end of the day, but I knew if I wanted to get better, I would have to push myself.
“Another thing that really helped me is starting to practice earlier in the summer than I normally would.”
Castillo said her best score last year was 55.
The district tournament will be contested over 18 holes. Most of Junction City’s matches this season have been 9-holes. Last year, Castillo shot 129 in the district tournament. She said her goal for the district tournament will be to qualify for state, which means she’ll have to play steady twice as long.
“I’m used to the course and I have the endurance so I think I’m capable for 18 holes,” she said.