Varsity girls’ and boys’ golf head coach Wind Ralston won the honorary award of Orange County girls’ golf coach following a successful season that included winning CIF. The honor is a testament to Portola High’s talent and adds to its long list of achievements, according to Ralston. 

“It’s just another accolade for the girls’ team and how well they came together and played,” Ralston said. “I don’t really think of it as my award; it’s more of an award won for the team.”

Ralston has been the varsity girls’ golf coach since 2017. He has helped prepare the team for starting level and improving their skills for matches. The encouragement and mental health support provided by Ralston is what made the team successful, according to girls’ golf captain and junior Madelene Dinn.

“He’s pretty big on mental health,” Dinn said. “If we’re ever having troubles, or if we’re stressed, he just reminds us to do our best out there and that, at the end of the day, it’s one match. It’s one game. It’s gonna be okay. We can do better next time. We can fix it during practice together.”

Throughout his many years as golf coach, Ralston learned to create a positive and comfortable environment among the athletes by getting to know them on the golf field and in class. The team’s expressions of gratitude and appreciation following games are what Ralston said he finds to be the most fulfilling aspect of coaching.

“I’m super proud of coach Ralston for offering all the support he does for our girls, and I think his contributions have really led our team to success this year,” Dinn said.

After ending a victorious season, the team anticipates continuing their success in future years, according to Dinn.

“Our main goal is to not fall into a slump,” Ralston said. “We want to continue to get better, continue to improve. It’s sometimes hard when you win CIF and do so well to continue that, and so our goal is just to keep looking forward and improving our game and improving the way we play as a team.”