Waite, There's More: San Rafael Freshman Loves Golf

freshman golfer Danny Waite knows exactly what he needs to improve his game next season: A birthday.

“I’d like to get a new driver,” he said of his wish list, “and some new clubs.”

Waite’s birthday is Friday, so that doesn’t leave much shopping time. Not to worry: As long as the new gear arrives by the start of next golf season, a thank-you note will follow.

Waite needed more than just new clubs when he stepped onto the first tee for his first high school match this spring, his coach Dave Shapiro related.

“He used to get on his knees to put tee in the ground,” he noted.

By season’s end, Waite was bending over to pick up his ball after recording pars. As many as five in one round, in fact.

That wasn’t necessarily what impressed his coach the most.

“In one short season, he now understands the etiquette and intentions of the game,” Shapiro praised. “The traits and characteristics that golf is supposed to teach, he is absolutely learning it and he exemplifies it.

“He really does represent so many people. Golf is frustrating when you first start playing. But when you hit a good shot or record a good score, it’s such a good feeling.”

Waite was so excited to shoot a 46 at Indian Valley in Novato against San Marin and Drake in a Marin County Athletic League match April 21, he probably could tell you which outdated club he used for every shot.

But he also has memories of the 12s he recorded on two occasions in earlier competitions.

“I’d say those were my most embarrassing moments,” he said. “It only happens when everything bad comes together.

“First, you don’t hit a good drive. Then you hit one that hits a tree and you get more frustrated. Then you do it again and again and get more and more frustrated. Finally you get onto the green and three- or four-putt.”

Waite only took up golf last summer, in part because his dad played. A few months later – he did take a one-week session at McInnis Park to get rolling -- he was not nearly good enough to even try out for most schools’ teams, but San Rafael needed a body. Any body. Several of them, in fact.

Predictably, the early scores were not good. But Waite was learning a lot, life lessons as well as golf tips.

“It’s kinda embarrassing,” he said of early season matches in which he was getting beaten by at least a stroke a hole by his competition. “But then you realize you don’t have to be embarrassed. You don’t have to beat the other guy; you just have to beat yourself. You just try to get better.

“When you hit a bad shot or have a bad hole, you just push through it. You just have to suck it up. Just because it happened on one hole, it doesn’t have to happen on the next hole. You have to salvage the round.”

Waite put that philosophy into action in a match at the Meadow Club. He had an 11 on one hole and a 9 on another, yet still shot a 59.

“Seven darn good holes,” Shapiro noted.

Ah, the Meadow Club. Waite gets to play there – for free – sometimes. Same with Silverado, the Marin Country Club, Stonetree …

And he gets free lessons from San Rafael’s star player, Brooks Besson, and even got a visit on the range from Peacock Gap’s Susan Young.

So, is Waite going to try out for the team again next year? Heck, wouldn’t you?

“Personally, I think he’s saying these things to keep me on the team next year,” Waite said of his coach’s many compliments. “Even though the scores weren’t that great, I was getting better. It just shows you need to keep practicing.

“I am a much more serious golfer than I used to be, but I still consider myself a casual golfer. Yes, I’m planning to be on team.”

By then, he hopes he and his new clubs are shooting 46s on their worst days. But for now, it’s his best memory.

“It was surprising, real surprising,” Weight admitted. “I was afraid I was going to finish the year without any good rounds. But it was really nice.”

Imagine if he had better clubs. (Hint, hint.)

SAN RAFAEL GOLF UPDATE

Final record: 1-16 in MCAL.

Season highlights: Junior Brooks Besson ranked among the top players in the league as San Rafael’s No. 1 player. A “great mentor, great teammate,” notes coach Dave Shapiro … Besson’s younger sister Lindsey, a sophomore, also played for the Bulldogs, and their third-grade brother, Danny, often worked out with the team. “I want him on the team,” Shapiro says … Mora Ouneklap, a sophomore who is also a great student, posted a 52 at Mill Valley for her best round of the season.

Coach Dave Shapiro’s comments: “What’s great about our team is they all care about each other and they have a ball. They are supportive of each other because they all want to get better. Look at the other schools. They are all serious players, and with good reason – they are good teams. We don’t take ourselves too seriously.”