Won Goes It Alone for Another Title

Angela Won has grown accustomed to collecting trophies each girls’ golf season, but if that trend is to continue this year, she’ll have to do it on her own.

Won, a senior from Irvine University High, has been the top player on the Trojan teams that have dominated girls’ golf since it became an official sport in 1998. Graduation and rule changes have removed University from the team title race, but Won’s play in the regular season indicates that she is primed to keep University’s trophy cabinet from collecting dust.

Won, the three-time Pacific Coast League individual champion, is the odds-on favorite to win a fourth when the league championships begin today at El Prado Golf Course in Chino. She finished the regular season with a 35.6 average over nine holes. It is the first time a Southland girl has averaged below par for a season.

She shot three-under 33 and one-under 35 in her last two matches. She broke par five times in 10 league matches and did not have a score higher than 39 all season.

“In my four years, this is definitely my best,” Won said.

While Won has captured two Southern Section team titles and a CIF-WSCGA title over the last three years, a major individual title has eluded her. She has placed 11th, fifth and fifth in her three section championship appearances and has yet to crack the top 15 in the CIF-WSCGA tournament.

“For some reason I don’t play well in that tournament,” Won said.

We are family: There’s a good bet that someone from the Fernando home will finish among the top five in the Serra League finals.

Sisters Lorraine, Irene and Jamie Fernando of Torrance Bishop Montgomery are among the top players in the league.

Keeping it in the family is nothing new for the Knights. Two years ago, Kim and Tracie Manalansan were the top two players for the Knights.

What’s more, the Manalansans and the Fernandos are cousins.

Good as gold: Two-time defending Golden League champion Cassie Corless of Quartz Hill is an anomaly in girls’ golf: a standout three-sport athlete.

Corless, a junior, set the Golden League record when she shot 41 earlier this year.

She also set the school record with a .618 league batting average for the softball team last year and plays on the varsity basketball team.

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THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1. Huntington Beach Marina (9-6, SS-Sunset)

Vikings are still the top team in the region despite six forfeit losses.

2. Palm Desert (15-0, SS-Desert Valley)

Won third league title and 18th consecutive league match.

3. Long Beach Wilson (13-0, SS-Moore)

League champions appear primed for a playoff run.

4. Anaheim Esperanza (15-1, SS-Sunset)

Bizarre final two weeks result in league championship for Aztecs.

5. Dana Hills (14-0, SS-South Coast)

Senior Carling Cho ready to repeat last year’s impressive postseason.

6. Camarillo (13-0, SS-Pacific View)

Ventura County dominance should carry into playoffs.

7. Palos Verdes Peninsula (13-0, SS-Bay)

Panthers probably better than No. 7--a good sleeper pick for playoffs.

8. Redondo Union (13-0, SS-Ocean)

Sea Hawks playing best golf at the right time of the year.

9. Harvard Westlake (12-0, SS-Mission)

Experience should prove helpful during pressure-packed playoffs.

10. Villa Park (14-2, SS-Century)

Veteran Spartans hoping for magical round in the playoffs.