RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Two weeks ago, the Cordova Lady Lancers’ varsity golf program had a vacancy at head coach. And although he’d never coached golf before, Scott Freeborn knew what he had to do.

Seven years ago, Freeborn stepped away from coaching after stints coaching tennis as well as the freshman and junior varsity football programs at Cordova, with the expectation he would only take a year off. As time wore on, he knew one day he’d return to the coaching ranks. Having also coached basketball and flag football in his earlier days, Freeborn is no stranger to a challenge, and no matter the sport, the coaching instinct never left him. Thus, he pounced on the opportunity to coach Lady Lancers golf.

“There was a spot available and I was kind of looking to get back into coaching something,” he said. “Golf came open, and I sat down with the Athletic Director and Vice Principal, talked about some things including the direction I was hoping to take the program and build it up.”

Freeborn enters a situation where he will try to build the foundation of what he hopes will be a successful and consistent program, and wants to foster the type of atmosphere that bolsters learning and fun.

“I really like coaching kids,” Freeborn said. “I just want to try and teach them some things along the way, whether it be something they might pursue in college as far as a sport to play, but really, it’s just about giving kids the opportunity to learn something that they could do and enjoy throughout their life.”

In addition to coaching athletics, Freeborn is also entering his 21st year as a Physical Education teacher in Rancho Cordova. He also mentioned his enjoyment in seeing students grasp the concept of what he’s trying to teach them, or as he called it, “when that lightbulb comes on,” as something he takes great pride in.

This year’s team figures to be led by senior and four-year golfer Tabitha McKenzie, as well as sophomores Hannah Gibson and Amanda Dong, who Freeborn mentioned are three players who immediately stood out after he took over the program.

The Lady Lancers opened their season this past Tuesday when they faced off against Greater Sacramento League power West Campus at Bing Maloney Golf Course. Final results were not available at the time of printing. They return to the course on Tuesday, September 10 when they face Natomas.