Vaqs grab WSC lead

Glendale Community College women’s golf Coach Greg Osbourne figured an extra trip to Bakersfield would be necessary if the Vaqueros wanted a superb result in their next Western State Conference match.

In preparation for Monday’s conference match at River Lakes Golf Course, Osbourne took his team north Wednesday to help them become acclimated with the course that none of them had ever played.

The practice session worked wonders for the Vaqueros and it carried over to Monday’s match, as they carded a 303 to finish in first place by 15 strokes.

“No doubt the practice round was the key for us,” said Osbourne, whose team grabbed hold of first place after winning its second conference match of the season. “They saw the course, figured it out and did well [Monday].

“They went out there by attacking it and knowing how to play it. There was no pressure on them because all they had to do was play their game.”

The extra session also served Glendale college freshman Vicanda Ma well. Ma fired an even-par 72 to secure medalist honors Monday.

Ma finished her 18-hole round with 16 pars, one birdie and one bogey.

“The course was new to me and I wanted to go there for the practice round,” said Ma, who spent Sunday working on her mechanics with Brad Sherfy, her swing coach. “I hit the ball straight on to the fairways [Monday] and that kept building up my confidence.

“Now, I feel like I’m able to go out there and shoot even par. We are now first in conference.”

Osbourne praised Ma’s effort.

“You get 16 pars and you are doing something right,” Osbourne said. “She was focused the whole way.”

The Vaqueros received a 75 from Hannah Lee, a 77 from Pattraporn Silawanna and a 79 from Thanawan Sriratchaya.

College of the Canyons, which won the conference title last season, finished with a 318, followed by Bakersfield (320), Santa Barbara City College (326) and Citrus (455).

The Vaqueros will next participate in another conference match at 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at San Dimas Canyon Golf Course.