Over the years, images of violent parent arguments, high school kids taking steroids, and shows like Friday Night Lights have flickered across the television screen. All of these represent the demise of the real purpose of high school sports. High school sports aren’t something that should cost people their front doors and reputations. They have reached too serious of a level.

Fortunately, we have the Garfield girls golf team to represent the polar opposite. This is a team that is based around the purpose of having fun through athletics, and not stressing over the results. The team still has the goal to go out there and win, but at the end of the day, they aren’t going to beat themselves up over a loss.

This laid back atmosphere and inviting principles have increased the teams’ enrollment this season. The team’s enrollment has reached sixteen players this season, a huge increase from the four players they had turn out two seasons ago. Several girls made the switch from tennis to golf this year because tennis was becoming too serious and competitive (following down the Friday Night Lights road). The team is led by captain Christine Lo and senior Kate Hegarty.

“A lot of ’08 girls just joined this year for fun,” said senior Marita Phelps.

A typical Garfield girls golf practice consists of going to the driving range for an hour at Jefferson Golf Course, then heading to the clubhouse and dining on fries while reviewing the rulebook with their coach, Ms. Burton.

We’ve all seen Ms. Burton, the friendly math teacher, walking through the halls smiling. We’ve also seen her at class assemblies, school assemblies, and various ’08 functions. She is the senior class staff advisor, girls golf coach, and a math teacher. She juggles all of these duties while maintaining a smile.

Finally, she is receiving recognition for it. Peggy Jackson Williams, the Garfield Athletic Director, nominated her for an inspirational coaching award.

This week King 5 will bring their television cameras to a practice at Jefferson to catch Ms. Burton and the girls’ golf team in action. The team is actually earning recognition for not treating every game like its life and death. Ms. Burton has instilled the proper values of fun and teamwork first.

There is a big advantage of having a larger turnout than years past. The team doesn’t have to forfeit any matches this year. Girls golf has just become something fun to do.

“It’s a way to get out in the sunshine, without worrying about competition,” said Phelps.

Hopefully the Garfield girls golf team will improve their skills this season. But what matters is that the team has fun and maintains a relaxed atmosphere. This year, regardless of their record, the girls golf team will hit a hole-in-one.