Meet the 2023 All-CNY girl golf team. The team consists of members who qualified for the state tournament.
We have four finalists for Player of the Year. They are Isabella Borte, Cicero-North Syracuse; Sarah Burgess, Jamesville-DeWitt; Evie Denton, Rome Free Academy; and Kamryn Yerman, Sauquoit Valley.
The winners will be announced at the annual All-CNY Sports Awards on June 22.
Name: Isabella Borte
School: Cicero-North Syracuse
Class: Junior
What’s next? Playing in tournaments for the CNYPGA, PKBGT, HJGT, NYSGA and US Kids Golf Tour, and continuing the college golf recruiting process! I will also be continuing to train in my other passion, musical theatre!
Who inspires you? Brittany Siechen. Brittany and I met back in 2020, and ever since then, she has been an incredible mentor and friend to me. She always knows the perfect things to say, and she also is a golfer, so she knows how it feels to be in my shoes. Sometimes we just text each about the most random things at 11:45 at night and think nothing of it. She also takes the time to follow up with me on how my matches and tournaments are going and takes time out of her schedule to get together with me, and even come watch me in theatrical performances. Brittany is the kindest and most considerate person I’ve ever met, and I’m so grateful to have her in my life!
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? Chick-fil-A all the way. I try to go before almost every match and try to switch up what I get every time!
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? I would have to go with Brad from “Daddy’s Home.” His sense of humor matches mine so much, and I would love to talk to him!
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? Probably “Ice Ice Baby” or “The Real Slim Shady.” They are both on my golf playlist and put me in a good place to loosen up.
Name: Sarah Burgess
School: Jamesville-DeWitt
Class: Senior
What’s next? St. John Fisher University majoring in pre-med biology and playing on the golf team.
Who inspires you? My parents because they always support me no matter what I do.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? Pop Tarts because there are many flavor options for different days.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? Bolt because he is a cute dog.
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? “California Girls” by Katy Perry.
Name: Evie Denton
School: Rome Free Academy
Class: Junior
What’s next? I’ll continue to play golf competitively and non-competitively over the summer and I will see what college brings for me
Who inspires you? My mom inspires me because she never gives up on herself or her family, so whenever I feel like I’m having a terrible round or nothing is going my way, I remember that she says every hole is a new hole and to not give up now
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? I don’t like to eat a lot before I golf because it weighs me down. My most common meal would probably be yogurt and fruit or a homemade baked good
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? Edna from “The Incredibles” because she’s hilarious and brutally honest; sometimes what she says is exactly what you need to hear even if you don’t want to hear it
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry because it’s about as far away as you can get from a classic motivational song and it was really popular over 10 years ago.
Name: Amitees Fazeli
School: Manlius Pebble Hill
Class: Sophomore
What’s next? Since the end of the school year is approaching, I not only plan to spend the summer playing more golf but also to attend camps to prepare for the tennis season in the fall. I am also planning to spend as much time with my sister before she goes back to college.
Who inspires you? Malala Yousafzai inspires me for her education rights activism and advocacy for women’s rights in Pakistan and across the globe. Her determination and resilience motivates millions of girls every day and has changed the lives of many.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? My favorite pre-game meal is probably peanut butter banana toast or oatmeal with figs. Both give me energy and are nutritious and healthy snacks that provide sustenance for hours.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? If I could hang out with any fictional character, I would like to meet Enola Holmes. She is very intelligent, independent and courageous, and I think she would make great company.
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? “A Whole New World” from Disney’s “Aladdin.”
Name: Hana Kang
School: Christian Brothers Academy
Class: Senior
What’s next? I will be attending Cornell University in the fall.
Who inspires you? My parents are my biggest inspiration and I am so grateful for their constant support. Also, my close friend Grace Catalano inspires me to be a better person and a better golfer every day.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? Oatmeal because it’s filling, but if my tee time is early in the morning, I go for something lighter, like the Starbucks spinach and feta wrap.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? Wednesday Adams played by Jenna Ortega because she’s effortlessly cool and would take me on some spontaneous adventures.
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? “Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera.
Name: Lindsey Kubala
School: Cicero-North Syracuse
Class: Junior
What’s next? Hopefully going to college and furthering my soccer or golf career.
Who inspires you? My dad and grandpa because they really love the sport of golf.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? Smoothies because I feel like they give me energy.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? Rapunzel because I love nature and animals
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? ”Slow Hands” by Niall Horan.
Name: Ellie Secor
School: Remsen
Class: Freshman
What’s next? I want to break 90 at states.
Who inspires you? I was inspired by watching K. H. Lee at Oak Hill over the weekend. His swing is super smooth and perfectly on plane. It inspired me to look into my backswing and try to get on plane more.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? The jellybeans my English teacher gave me in my sectional snack bag!
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? I would choose Night Fury from “How To Train Your Dragon” because he’s powerful, viscous but also sweet.
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? “Me Libere” by Evaluna Montaner
Name: Alaina Weaver
School: Sauquoit Valley
Class: Junior
What’s next? I still have one more year of high school, then I plan to attend college, hopefully to become a chiropractor.
Who inspires you? My parents. They are hard-working and put everyone else first. They support and encourage me to always be my best in academics, athletics and all areas of my life.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? There usually isn’t enough time to eat a meal before matches, but I can often be found with a bag of pre-game Cheez-Its.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? I think it’d be fun to spend a day on the golf course with Happy Gilmore. He just brings the game of golf to a whole new level!
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? I may have a song or two by Big Time Rush on my playlist.
Name: Kamryn Yerman
School: Sauquoit Valley
Class: Freshman
What’s next? Going to play in the state tournament and playing in the CNY PGA JR tour over the summer.
Who inspires you? My dad inspires me to always try my best and to stay positive.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal? A bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel and iced coffee because it is a routine my dad and I have done for the past several years.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? Phil Dunphy from “Modern Family” because he reminds me of my dad.
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed by if anyone found out? I’m not embarrassed by any of the songs on my playlist because I only listen to Taylor Swift.
Coach of the Year
Name: Chuck Banks
School: Cicero-North Syracuse
Years coaching: Nine years girls golf. Over 30 years coaching other sports.
What person (or event) inspired you to become a coach? All of the positive experiences I had with my high school and college coaches.
What do you enjoy most about coaching and why? Seeing the improvement of the players and how dedicated they are to making themselves better.
If you could hang out with any fictional character, who would you choose and why? Jason Bourne, because of his ability to mastermind his way out of any situation.
What is the one song on your playlist that you would be embarrassed if anyone found? The entire soundtrack to “A Star is Born” with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.
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