YORBA LINDA – The last three times that Brooke Graebe has teed off for Yorba Linda at Black Gold Golf Club, she has managed to shave a stroke or two off her score.
But the streak might have finally come to an end because for her to improve upon her performance in Tuesday’s Empire League match against Cypress, she’d have to post a number that isn’t often seen at any level of golf, let alone on a high school varsity team.
She used two eagles and a scant 12 putts to get around the front nine and card a 6-under-par 30 in the Mustangs’ 200-205 victory against the Centurions (4-3, 3-2). Four times the Mustangs (7-3, 4-0) have played at Black Gold this season, and Graebe has yet to post a score higher than a 33, making her 17-under par on Yorba Linda’s home course this season.
She was 8-under in two matches at Black Gold last week, which included a 5-under 31.
“I have confidence in myself this year. Everything is going well. I am just trying to have fun out here, and that seems to be paying off,” said Graebe, who took up golf about four years ago. “It was a good round for me today.”
On Tuesday she drained six putts in excess of 10 feet, and saved par on the par-4 ninth with a 12-foot putt after her approach landed in a green-side bunker.
“My putting was good (on Tuesday), and that is where you score … your short game,” Graebe said. “Hit greens and make putts. That is golf.”
But she’s also better off the tee these days too, now that she is using a different shaft in her driver. She estimates that she has picked up some 20 yards because of it.
“I love golf. It is my passion. I am dedicated to it, and I want to do it in college,” she said. “I want to get to the next level.”
Two Centurions came in under 40 on Tuesday, making this a close match despite Graebe’s 30. Christabelle Kim and freshman Cristine Perez each finished with an even-par 36 to lead Cypress. Only two teams have beaten the Mustangs this season – Troy and Diamond Bar. On Monday, Yorba Linda will play host to the Brahmas at Black Gold.
“Our team is doing awesome. We have such good chemistry,” she said. “I am really looking forward to CIF because I think we can go far this year.”
