Successful Golf Program Abandoned Throughout District

JAMES HO
Copy Editor
Last year was a year of substantial budget cuts throughout the educational system of California. AHS knows that fact well as a large number of our sports programs have gone under the knife as administrators are working to trim spending in every possible area. The district’s golf program was pulled apart at the seams last year when it was announced that it would be completely cancelled.
Both boys’ and girls’ golf were removed from the district at the three high schools that carried the program: Alhambra, Mark Keppel and San Gabriel. The reason provided by administrators was that the ratio of players to coaches did not warrant a continuation of the program any longer. Needless to say, this was met by a torrent of opposition and exasperated players.
“The players were very upset; they wanted to know if there was a way to reinstate the program, but I guess this was a cut they had to make,” said Coach Brambilla.
Although the program was cancelled because of monetary concerns, it was noted that golf did not require much money to run. Golf did not require the paying of officials or buses to reach games and the players provided their own equipment.
The surprise cancellation of the program came at an inopportune moment, as the boys’ golf team had just missed the Almont League title last year by one shot. It was the third year in a row in which the team took second place in our division.
“We’ve had a very successful golf program here at AHS. We began the girls’ golf program which lasted for two years. San Gabriel has their moments, and we’ve played Mark Keppel down to the wire for many years; they were all competitive schools,” said Brambilla.
With many dedicated coaches and talented players in the sport, the demise came as another unprovoked casualty of the debt-ridden educational system.