The Sage Hill Girls’ Golf Team ended their 2025 season with a hard-fought loss, 229-197, to St. Margaret’s Episcopal School at Marbella on Oct. 21. While the Lightning’s record for the season (0-10-1) fell short of expectations, there were successes not displayed on the score card.

After graduating four seniors and losing another key contributor to a move to Florida, this year’s six-member team was challenged to step up.  

10-year veteran coach Bruce Loman put the season in perspective, “The whole point is to come out here and have some fun, and we all had fun and made some friends.”

Hotshot sophomore Audrey Zhao didn’t come out to make friends, shooting a record seven-under-par 29 over nine holes in her match against University High School earlier this season. 

“I had to count it three times!” Loman said. He had never seen a lower score in his years of coaching and playing golf.

The match against St. Margaret’s was the last match for senior Anna Gao. She finished the match with a score of 38, the lowest amongst the Lightning.

“I’m happy it’s over, but at the same time I’m sad,” Gao said. 

Loman said that he is “extremely proud of the team” and that “it is hard to go straight to varsity as many of the girls did this season, but the experience will provide the newer players with a feel for what it takes to win and be great at the sport.”

“We’re excited about next year and still have CIF for [freshmen Madelynn Lee and Audrey Zhao], so it’s not over yet,” Loman said.