Once limited to a handful of girls on the boys’ varsity team, West Essex girls’ golf has grown into a popular and expanding program. From five girls playing together in its inaugural season to 28 trying out this past spring, the team has continued to surge in popularity. Since the team began in the spring of 2024, juniors Ella Afanador, Marley Caplan and Nicole Manos have had firsthand experience leading and watching this program grow, having helped build the team.
“I think it is so special and so rewarding to see all of our hard work pay off,” Caplan said.
Coming into high school, all three girls wanted to play golf, yet they all thought they would be on the boys’ golf team. Before having a separate team, girls’ head golf coach and former boys JV coach Richard Larcara had to either place the girls on the boys’ team or arrange random matches for them to compete in on the side. That changed when former Athletic Director Anthony Minnella reached out to Larcara about starting a girls’ team, and he was enthusiastic about the girls having their own team to compete on.
In the beginning, the girls’ team struggled to field enough players: golf matches required six girls, but West Essex had only five. This led to multiple matches being forfeited or girls having to play alone. Yet the girls cherish this season for all the friendships they made.
“It was so special the way we just connected right away,” Caplan said. “We look back fondly on those days.”
In the following season, the team continued to see growth in the number of players trying out. During this season’s tryouts, the program had 28 girls try out, and even made cuts. Nobody, including the girls and Larcara, could have predicted the team’s unprecedented growth over the last few seasons.
“This is way more than I thought the team would grow,” Manos said.
For Larcara, it is also special to see girls try out for the team instead of more popular and well-known sports.
“Girls, you know, are not playing lacrosse and playing golf, Lacara said. “Girls are not playing softball and playing golf, which is crazy.”
With popularity increasing year by year, the team aims to expand further, adding a JV and a freshman team to allow more girls to play the sport. This year, while continuing to build chemistry and consistency, they are competing in tournaments such as the Lady Bombers Tournament and aiming to win more matches. For the three captains, they look to continue being mentors for the underclassmen while continuing to build close friendships with the entire team.
“The friendships we have formed over the years have just been great, Caplan said. “We are excited, not only to play the sport, but also to spend time together and give advice to each other too.”
