SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GOLF ASSN. CHAMPIONSHIPS : Ishii Steps Up to Plate, Twice

Most people lie in bed when they have a cold and the flu.

On the other hand, Linda Ishii of Westlake High played in the Southern California Golf Assn. team championship and the girls’ individual championship Thursday at the SCGA Players Club.

She shook off drowsiness and shot a seven-over par 79 in the morning with the boys’ team and came back with a 73 in the afternoon.

The totals were good enough for her to take home a team championship plate and a second-place plate in the girls’ individual competition.

“I played this morning because I wanted to know the course,” Ishii said. “I’m happy we won the team competition, but it was important for me to be competitive in the individuals.”

In fact, Ishii’s morning 79 didn’t qualify her among the Warriors’ top five finishers.

In the individual event, Ishii finished second to Amanda Cordova of Clovis West, who shot a 72.

Cordova trailed Ishii by one stroke after nine holes, but birdied two holes, parred six and bogeyed one on the back nine.

Ishii took advantage of the shorter distances from the women’s tees in the afternoon.

She hit 12 of 14 fairways from the tees on par-four or par-five holes, and three of four greens on the par-three holes.

“We call her an honorary boy,” Westlake Coach Dave Costly said. “She plays real confident, she plays [the men’s tees when she plays with the Westlake team] and never asks for any quarter.”

Ishii hit a 30-yard chip shot on her last hole that landed a foot from the pin to set up a birdie putt, giving her a one-stroke cushion over Nicole Dalkas of Palm Desert, who finished third.

Eight other Valley-area girls competed in the individual tournament.

Alicia Um of Newbury Park shot a 77 and Julie Park of Granada Hills, who also played in the team competition in the morning, finished with a 78.