Announcements

Attention Girls Golfers or those interested in playing!

If you played on the Girls Golf team or are interested in Girls Golf there will be a meeting on Thursday 2/1 at the BHS Library at 5;30 pm. Any students interested in playing should attend and meet our new Head Coach Katherine Van Slyke and Assistant Coach Bart Wiley.

2024 Girls Golf Practice Schedule

Practices will be held at Wing Point Golf & Country Club (811 Cherry Ave) unless otherwise informed. Occasionally we will practice in the simulators at Meadowmere on Bainbridge Island, most likely on inclement weather days. There may also be occasion to hold a practice at another course (i.e. Whitehorse in Kingston). Coaches will provide at least a week’s heads up if this gets scheduled.  On match days (match schedule link), schedules will vary depending on when and where we are playing.

Regular Season: Monday, February 26th - May 3rd

For girls moving on to Districts, practice will continue through May 10th

For girls moving on to the State Championships, practice will continue through May 20th

• Mondays: 2:15 - 5:00
• Tuesdays: 3:30-5:15
• Wednesdays: 3:30-5:15
• Thursdays: 3:30-5:15
• Friday: 3:30-5:00

Equipment Recommendations

Club Basics: Driver, Woods, Hybrids, Irons, Wedges, Putter

A golf bag can have up to 14 clubs. Player preferences will vary. A driver is usually used to hit the first shot off the tee. Woods are generally harder to learn to use effectively but they hit the ball farther when used correctly. Irons tend to be easier to use but not always. Hybrids are clubs that combine the power of a wood but when used properly, can be swung like an iron. Wedges are used for shorter distances and a sand wedge is used to get the ball out of the sand. Putters are used for putting the ball into the hole on the green or near the green. We suggest a player carry a minimum of 8 clubs, with more seasoned players carrying a minimum of 10 clubs. 

Must Haves:

• Golf Bag
• 7 Clubs
• Balls
• Markers
• Tees 
• Divot Repair tool
• Towel

Optional:

• Range Finder
• Club Cleaner

Golf Team basic bag:

• Driver, 5Wood or 4Hybrid, Irons (5,7,9), Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Putter

Seasoned Player Bag (suggestion only)

• Driver
• 3 Wood
• 5 Wood
• 4 Hybrid
• 5 Hybrid
• 5 iron
• 6 iron
• 7 iron
• 8 iron
• 9 iron
• Pitching Wedge
• Gap Wedge
• Sand Wedge 
• Putter

Head Varsity Coach: Katherine Van Slyke

Katherine Van Slyke brings a wealth of coaching experience to her new role. She has a background in coaching girls lacrosse as well as boys and girls tennis. Katherine has a lot of experience competing in golf, as well as many other sports. She also enjoys the sport of golf for camaraderie and exercise. As an avid and accomplished athlete herself, Katherine has long been an advocate for empowering girls in athletics. She is committed to fostering a positive and competitive spirit among young athletes.  As a mother of 2 BHS graduates, Katherine understands and values the impact that a positive experience in youth sports can have. You may contact Katherine with questions at kvanslyke@bisd303.org. 

Varsity Assistant Coach: Bart Wiley

Bart Wiley serves as the Chief Executive Officer, North America, of the Cedar Packaging Group (CPG).  Prior to joining the Cedar Packaging Group, Wiley was a 20-year member of the Seattle Sounders front office. The Sounders longest-tenured employee in the club’s modern era, Wiley joined the Sounders on September 18, 2001, playing a pivotal role in guiding the club from its USL days into Major League Soccer in 2009. He served in a number of positions within Sounders FC, including Chief Operating Officer from 2014 through 2019, going on to become the club’s Executive Vice President & Chief Global Officer. Over the past two decades, Wiley cultivated a legacy of service and leadership, helping to grow the Sounders into a leading MLS club.

Wiley took a week of golf lessons at the age of 12 and was hooked.  A current member of Wing Point on Bainbridge Island, Wiley has had success in numerous club competitions including the Club Championship.

He has been married for nearly 20 years and has two daughters (14 and 9) in the Bainbridge Island school district.

Born in New Jersey, Wiley grew up in Atlanta, GA, before relocating to Seattle, WA.   He has been a publicist for a Major League Baseball player, has run business operations for a NASCAR team, and was among the early business development professionals in the dot-com era.