By Matt Phelps

The Mercer Island girls golf team has a lot of potential. With one of the best players in the state in Shawn Kelly and an up and coming group of sophomore and freshman girls, the team’s potential is there.

But the Islanders’ 3-3 record is not where head coach Don Papasedero saw the team at this point in the season.

“We are not really playing to our potential yet,” said Papasedero. “The young girls are playing well, but we are not scoring as well as we should.”

One good thing for the team is that none of the six meets have counted towards their in-league record, despite already playing Bellevue and the Interlake Saints.

But the inconsistent start continued Tuesday, April 5 against the Saints as the Islanders shot 257 strokes against the Saints 239 for Mercer Island’s third loss on the young season.

Mercer Island was led by seniors Rachel Smith and Shawn Kelly, each scoring a 49 during the nine hole meet.

“I am just working on consistency right now,” said Kelly. “I am not worrying about the meets so much. I am just playing.”

Kelly made it to the state meet last year and is one of the top players in KingCo.

“(Kelly) is one of the best golfers in the state and she will get there,” said Papasedero.

Islander Lindsay Buchanan, who played in the same group as Kelly, shot a 51.

Kelly will need help to elevate the team’s scores. Buchanan is just a sophomore, but plays like a senior.

“Even if we lose a few now, it is better than when we get into league play,” said Buchanan. “We have a lot of talent and it will come around.”

Senior Whitney Tomita and freshman Tracey Tomlinson rounded out the top five for the Islanders in scoring against the Saints, as they both shot a 54.

One thing that gives comfort to all the players on the squad is the sense of team that pervades their practices and meets.

“We all get a long really well,” said Kelly Ogishima, who is a freshman and one of the best-scoring players thus far. “I like playing on a team rather than just playing by myself. It is nice to have teammates to talk to and take your mind off the game.”

The idea of team is new to a lot of the freshman. Despite many of them having practice time behind them and being seasoned golfers, having a support group with them is comforting. That sense of team pride and togetherness is also there with the seniors on the squad.

“We have a lot of depth and good young players that are already shooting in the low 40s as freshmen,” said Kelly. “I know I have a leadership role on the team, but I think we all learn from each other.”

The freshman on the team have already began to make an impact on team scores.

“I think our freshman class is going to keep this team strong for years to come,” said Buchanan. “It is kind of reassuring. I know that as a freshman I was really nervous, but they seem to deal with it pretty well.”

Buchanan said that the freshman have good focus.

“Everyone is always at practice on time,” said Buchanan. “We may lose a few, but we have the talent to get it together.”

“It is a pleasure to be around student athletes like these girls,” said Papasedero.

The team was scheduled to play Forest Ridge Thursday, but the meet was canceled and a make-up date has not been announced.

The team will have to get it together starting Tuesday when the Islanders will play their first in-league meet against Sammamish at Bellevue Municipal golf course. From there the team will have four-straight away meets before hosting Issaquah on May 5.