On Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, Berkeley High School’s girls golf team hosted Piedmont High School and San Leandro High School in a close match at Tilden Park Golf Course. Despite cold and windy conditions, the team’s spirit soared. BHS finished in second place with a total of 256 strokes, right behind Piedmont’s 253 strokes. San Leandro tallied a team score of 273 strokes.
With 11 players, the girls golf team forms a small, close-knit community. This season, the team boasts four golfers new to the game. “We’ve got a lot of young players, but they’re here, trying to get better every day and working hard,” Assistant Coach Willie Fleischman noted.
BHS junior and team co-captain Meghan Nguyen is in her second season playing for the team. She spoke about the mental game involved in golf. “Golf is a very hard sport … Eighty percent of golf is mental. Twenty percent is skill … It takes a toll on you,” she said.
The matches are a mix of nine hole matches and 18 hole tournaments. The overall goal is to achieve the lowest stroke tally, both individually and as a team. The top five individual stroke tallies are totaled for the team score.
BHS freshman Isa Weisert has been playing golf for a year. She ended with the lowest and thus best score for the Jackets at Wednesday’s match, posting a score of 48, a new personal record for her on nine holes. “For my first year on the team, it’s been going great. The girls are super nice and it’s been really enjoyable to play,” Weisert said.
The players reflected fondly about their team harmony. Nguyen, who tallied 49 strokes, shared a team tradition, “We always get fries at the end of our games … After practice we always just talk. You know, it’s very chill, it’s a fun group.”
Weisert echoed the team camaraderie and inclusivity. “My favorite thing about the team is just the energy. They’re so kind. I love everyone … it’s very inclusive to all but (we) all work well together even though it’s an individual sport,” she said.
Head Coach Ahmad Dilliehunt is expecting to finish the season out strong. “I’m feeling great about the team this season. A young group of girls, but really focused. They have a good energy, good heart, (and) a love for the game,” he said.This match showcases BHS’ progress, and as the team prepares for the remaining season, they plan to continue improving their game, while maintaining their strong sense of team camaraderie.