‘Fourth time’s the charm’: Houston women’s golf competes for national title 

For three years, Houston women’s golf came painfully close to a national championship berth. This time, seniors Natalie Saint Germain, Alexa Saldana and Moa Svedenskiold refused to let the opportunity slip away, competing in Houston’s fourth straight regional.

Two seasons ago, the Cougars missed advancing as a team by a single stroke. Last season, it was four, with Svedenskiold becoming the third Cougar in history to advance individually, while the rest of the team’s season ended.

“You’re literally almost there, and then it just didn’t happen,” Saint Germain said of the near-misses.

This spring at the Simpsonville Regional, Saint Germain stood over a critical par putt on the 18th green.

When the ball dropped into the hole, she knew the Cougars finally had their breakthrough.

“I can’t believe we actually made it. I can’t believe the putt went in. It was like a fairytale ending,” Saint Germain said. “It’s all we’ve been working towards, and it finally happened. We were saying ‘fourth time’s the charm.’”

Saint Germain and Svedenskiold made their initial decisions to join Houston from across the Atlantic in the Czech Republic and Sweden, while Saldana moved from Mexico to Texas at 16 to attend The Crown Golf Academy in Arlington.

Despite being far from their families, the three seniors continued choosing Houston over returning home or transferring, something Saint Germain said “was never even a real thought.”

“Having a great group of people who are there for you is just really special,” she said. “It’s something I didn’t expect, but it became a reason why I stayed here because I am taken care of in every aspect.”

Whether competing against one another in table tennis inside the clubhouse or during rounds on the course, the group’s chemistry has become one of Houston’s biggest strengths.

“Everyone met at the right time, and we have so much great chemistry, and it’s a very nice environment,” said Saint Germain, who will compete at the National Championships alongside Saldana, Svedenskiold, junior Maelynn Kim and sophomore Emilia Vaïstö.

What seemed like fate was also the product of coach Lydia Lasprilla’s deliberate effort to build a culture that translated into success on the course.

“Competing for national championships and making history is something that we have recruited all these players here for,” Lasprilla said.

Svedenskiold already fulfilled that mission last season, competing as an individual at the championship course at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. Now, she’ll return to the course for another shot, this time she won’t be going to the May 22-27 tournament alone.

“We’re actually going to nationals, all of us,” she said.