Corona del Mar Girls' Varsity Golf Team Makes History
By: Dr. Katerina Kurteeva
This triumph marks a monumental chapter for CDM High School, as the Girls Varsity Golf Team clinched their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division IV title on November 5, 2024, a day otherwise dominated by election news. Under the seasoned and passionate guidance of Coach Middleton, whose career spans more than 29 years in coaching soccer and golf in Orange County, this achievement was nothing short of a Cinderella story.
Coach Middleton, a staple in the CDM sports community, has an extensive background in the sport of soccer. He currently sits on both the CIF State and CIF Southern Section Soccer Advisory Committees and is the Southern California High School Soccer Coaches Association Vice President. He has worked with hundreds of student athletes, helping them secure college scholarships and shaping their athletic futures. Amid the COVID-19 shutdown, his transition to golf showcased his adaptability and commitment, spearheading the development of girls’ golf team. Now in his third year of coaching CDM's golf program, his ability to cultivate a competitive yet unified team has proven invaluable.
The girls’ journey to victory began with intensive training that kicked off in early spring, involving mentorship programs for middle schoolers to ensure a pipeline of talent. After rigorous tryouts at their home course, Newport Beach Country Club, the team lineup was set with a blend of experienced and fresh talent, including two freshmen. Skill development was further enhanced with the assistance of technical coach Carlo Borunda.
Led by team captain Bailey Kuo, who kept morale high throughout the extended season, and standout junior golfer Xia Juan, who consistently secured critical points during tightly contested matches, the team demonstrated exceptional resilience. Their noteworthy season included winning the Battle of the Bay, a testament to their rivalry and sportsmanship against Newport Harbor High.
The road to the CIF championship was solidified after an evaluation of their season scores. On November 5, as more than120 players convened at El Prado Golf Course in Chino Hills at dawn, CDM's athletes were ready. Their dedication showed in the preparatory weekend sessions, where they familiarized themselves with the course and developed strategic plans. With the sun beaming and perfect playing conditions, CDM's team battled through the demanding 18-hole challenge. The day culminated in a stunning victory, cementing their place in history and igniting hope for future college-level pursuits. This win, beyond celebrating the players' efforts, sets a strong precedent for CDM’s program under Coach Middleton's leadership.
I'm extremely proud of the CDMHS Girls Golf Team and how they performed this past season," Middleton shared. "During the week leading to the CIFSS Championships I tried to install the belief that they could be CIFSS Champions if they played one shot and hole at a time. The girls' golf team is highly academic, and we took that to the course studying each hole for the championship match. The last three years have been a joy to coach the CDMHS girls' golf team. All the preparation and the effort the girls put into the season has culminated with a CIFSS Division 4 Championship!
As the girls enjoy a well-deserved break, Coach Middleton’s sights are set on coaching the girls’ soccer team this winter with aspirations for similar success.
Team: Senior Captian Bailey Kuo, Junior Zixuan Li, Senior Ilana Gerber, Sophomore Anika Shorey, Freshman Adriana Bezrukov, Freshman Sophie Martin.
