Sailors earn first win
SANTA ANA — Either Newport Harbor High or Estancia would win its first match of the girls’ golf season Wednesday at Santa Ana Country Club.
The victors added a few “bests” in the process to help going forward, too.
Newport was buoyed by freshman Grace Ferrell’s one-over-par 37 en route to a 240-275 nonleague victory against the Eagles. Ferrell was the only player on either team to shoot in the 30s, notching a high-school best by five strokes, Sailors’ Coach Scott Tarnow said. The 240 is a season-best for the Sailors (1-3).
Senior Cassie Stevenson led the Eagles (0-6) with a 40.
Newport senior Tara Hanna had 44 with a birdie on the par-four third hole while junior Christina Ferraro shot 50. Hannah Perry shot 52 and freshman Tehya Corona added a 57. Corona’s score was a personal-best, Tarnow said.
Senior Jackie Tanner shot 51 while junior Jennifer Torres and sophomore Naomi Beth each shot 61 for Estancia. Sophomore Laura Morel tallied 62.
Estancia Coach Jeff Perry said Santa Ana was the toughest course they’ve played thus far.
“The trees are a lot higher and the greens are tricky,” Perry said. “The course is kept up impeccably.”
Ferrell, a lefty, appeared calm throughout a round that included a birdie on the par-five ninth hole and six pars.
Hanna, playing in the first group with teammate Perry, Stevenson and Torres, boomed a drive within 100 yards on the 300-yard third hole. Her approach stopped 20 feet from the hole and she sank the birdie putt.
Stevenson got up-and-down for par on the par-three second hole. She putted from the rough short of the green and sank the ensuing birdie putt.
Perry and Tarnow both said they have several girls who are new to golf, so a primary task is helping them learn and appreciate the game.
“For the girls [Tuesday’s victory] is not as important,” Tarnow said. “They enjoy the camaraderie, the van rides, team dinners. [The win] is more important for me so I’m not thinking about it.”
The Sailors are back at it to open Sunset League play against Edison at 4 p.m. Thursday at Mile Square Golf Course in Fountain Valley.
The Eagles and Sailors will join Calvary Chapel, Long Beach Millikan and Santa Ana Valley in the 18-hole Estancia Tournament Monday at Costa Mesa Country Club (Mesa Linda course). Tee time is noon.
“We’re going to focus on the fundamentals,” Perry said when asked what the team will be working on heading into Orange Coast League play, which begins the week of Sept. 24.
“I want them to realize they don’t have to go for the home run,” Perry said.