Chia readies for CIF stage
GLENDALE — The biggest stage of her brief high school career awaits Jocelyn Chia.
The Crescenta Valley High girls’ golfer burst on to the scene this season with a standout freshman campaign, taking the Pacific League by storm and consistently proving she could battle against many of the league’s top golfers. Chia doesn’t want it to end there.
It won’t, as Chia will be one of 114 golfers on hand to compete in the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Regional at 8 a.m. today at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo.
At stake will be an advancement to the CIF Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying tournament, which will be held Nov. 8 at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc.
“I have to keep feeling confident about my game and the way I’m playing,” said Chia, who advanced to today’s round after finishing third in the league’s individual final Oct. 21 at Jurupa Hills Country Club in Riverside County. “All I can do is just go out there and try my best and I think everything will go from there.”
En route to placing third, Chia had earlier won or shared medalist accolades in seven matches.
Crescenta Valley first-year Coach Lee Pope said consistency has played a major role in Chia not shying away from the competition.
“We are looking to move her on,” said Pope, whose team placed fourth in league. “She’s been consistent all year and the goal for her to advance will probably be a 75 or less.
“The one thing with her is that she’s not too up or down during a match. That’s something you need as a golfer and she’s gained a lot of maturity from playing in junior tournaments. That’s also helped her prep big time. She’s a freshman playing like a senior.”
Chia is one of seven players from the Pacific League to advance to today’s competition.
