The first family of Coupeville golf poses for a photo op, with Austin (left) and Christine Fields joining their dad Mike, a well-respected local golf pro.
Apparently very people in Coupeville have seen “Caddyshack.”
There can be no other explanation for why Christine Fields runs into so many people who think her time on the links is similar to being in church.
“I always think it’s funny when people who don’t play golf assume it’s a really serious and silent sport,” Fields said. “Yeah right, my brother and I have the best time making jokes and hitting outrageous shots together!”
A sophomore at Coupeville High School, Fields torched the field on the second day of the 1A state girls’ golf tournament last season, shooting up the leader board and finishing a school-record 8th in her first try at the big dance. She’ll return to team up with big bro Austin, a two-time state meet veteran returning for his senior year, as their very own two-person Wolf links squad this spring.
But before she can daydream about making a bid for a state title or possibly screaming like a banshee just as her brother goes into his back swing, she’ll need to deal with her other athletic love — being a key returning player on the CHS girls’ soccer squad.
A defender who eventually moved up to play midfielder and forward last season, Fields, like all of her teammates, is hard at work building endurance right now. With new coach Dan d’ Almeida preaching an attacking style, the Wolves need to be able to motor for an entire game.
“I think myself and our whole team does a good job of leaving it all out there on the field and pushing through, especially in those last minutes,” Fields said. “Coach D is focusing on three aspects — fitness, keeping the ball on their half of the field and making runs or more options to help each other carry the ball up the field.
“We’ve been training a few days and, so far, so great!,” she added. “The energy is very positive and I think everyone is doing their part in helping the team and improving themselves. Coach D is really looking for people to step up and our upperclassmen are great role models and a big help!”
While her two sports are radically different in style of play, they do have common connections.
“Soccer and golf are so different physically, but mentally they’re pretty similar,” Fields said. “In both you have to stay collected and don’t start panicking when you hit a bad shot, or when your team loses possession of the ball. That’s when you step it up!
“I love both sports,” she added. “Soccer is super fun because a lot of my friends play with me and it gives you a place to put everything aside and focus on becoming a team and getting better. And golf is a little more “family oriented” since my brother and I are the only CHS golfers and we think of our dad as the coach.”
Away from the turf and the links, her biggest excitement is reserved for getting her driver’s license in March.
“Sports take up most of my time, because I’m either in a soccer or golf season, but I do try and take most of winter off to make sure my school work is up to par!,” she said. “And, of course, I always make time for vegetating and hanging out with friends!”
May I suggest watching some “Caddyshack?”
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