Ridgewood Golfer Has Incredible Season

Christina Paulsen had quite the season for the Blue Eagles golf team, which finished with an excellent record of 14-1. The  team won the Farleigh Dickinson Invitational, the League Championships and the Bergen County Championships. Paulsen won on her own as well.

Paulsen’s scoring average was an impressive 39.7. She finished in first place at the Cougar Classic, first place at the Big North Division Day, third place at the Red Devil Invitational, received a medal at the Big North Tournament and was the first person from IHA to win the 18-hole BCWCA County Tournament. Paulsen also finished in second place in the State Sectionals along with a 10th place finish at the State Tournament of Champions. She was also named North Jersey Girls Golfer of the Year by The Record and was the first three-time all county golfer in the history of IHA.

Paulsen is honored to be the first golfer in the school’s history to receive that distinction.

"It feels really good because this has been my goal last year because I knew I could do it," said Paulsen. "This is what I told myself that this is the year that I will win and be a good memory for IHA."

Head Coach Jim Stayton has enjoyed coaching the junior from Ridgewood.

"Christina is an amazing golfer to coach mostly because her inner drive to improve and succeed is so high that most of the time I'm not coaching but instead marveling," said Stayton. "I know that every time Christina is on a golf course, I am going to get maximum effort and more often than not, the best score in the match."

Stayton is also happy to see Paulsen be rewarded after the season that she had.

"More than anything I am excited that Christina's hard work is recognized and rewarded," said Stayton. "For Christina, accomplishments and accolades are great but what I am most proud of is the way she handles success as well as failure with equal grace. She understands that what she has earned has come with many hours of practice and she continues to be focused on being even better."

When Christina is not golfing, she enjoys helping others, skiing and traveling.