Caitlin Maralack, 13, heads to state golf tournament
July 25, 2012
By Michele Mihalovich
By David Maralack
Caitlin Maralack, a 13-year-old Snoqualmie golfer, qualified for the state competition July 23-27 at the Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent. Here she chips out of a bunker at a recent Snoqualmie Valley Golf Academy tournament.
Caitlin Maralack, 13, won the Washington Junior Golf Association district tournament and now heads to the state competition July 23-27 at the Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent.
The Snoqualmie girl has been playing since she was 5, and started tournament play at 8.
“Caitlin always showed a lot of potential and she just simply loved golf,” her father David Maralack said. “Her short game, especially chipping and bunker shots, are above average and the strongest part of her game.”
David said he and his daughter play almost every weekend, and that she has quite a competitive side to her.
“She is very competitive and will typically cheer when I miss my putts,” he joked. “She started beating me last year, at age 12, occasionally. I am a 6-handicapper, but she is catching up with me quickly.”
That consistent improvement is just one of the reasons Brandon Proudfoot, coach of the Mount Si High School’s golf teams, is so excited about Caitlin, with a handicap of 9, joining the team her freshman year.
“She’s going to be a very impressive high school golfer,” he said. “She’s already been good, but she turned a corner where scores have dropped so that she can win at tournaments.”
Proudfoot said he’s been working with Caitlin through the junior golf program at the Mount Si Golf Course, and that she also joined the junior golf program with TPC Snoqualmie Ridge a few years back.
This year, he said Caitlin broke a few important barriers, like finally hitting 80 rather than the higher scores.
“She practices hard and has a very supportive family,” Proudfoot said. “Plus, she just loves the game. She has a real passion for it. We’re excited to have her.”
Caitlin won the WJGA District Championship in the girls 12-13 category on July 18.
She hit a 77 on her first day of play at High Cedars Golf Club in Orting, and 74 on day two.
“Any time you’re shooting in the 70s, it’s impressive,” Proudfoot said. “She’s capable of taking it low and just getting better. Last year, she missed state by a couple strokes. She struggled before, but now she’s lapping the field.”
Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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