Chia moves on again
GLENDALE — It might not have been the finest round turned in by Crescenta Valley High girls’ golfer Jocelyn Chia this season, but she isn’t going to complain.
Chia kept her sensational freshman season alive by shooting a 15-over-par 87 on Monday at the CIF Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying Tournament at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc.
Battling windy conditions and a soggy course from rain that fell in the area late Sunday night, Chia found herself in a three-player playoff for the last two qualifying spots with Michelle Folan of Marymount and Renae McAvoy of El Toro. Chia and Folan each three-putted for bogey on the par-4 18th hole to move on to the WSCGA Foundation Tournament, which will be conducted at The Golf Club at Rancho California in Murrieta on Wednesday.
“I thought I was OK in the beginning of my round, but I really didn’t play well at all,” said Chia, one of 37 participants to move on to Wednesday’s round with an opportunity to advance to the state championship at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga on Nov. 16. “In the playoff, I hit a good drive down the middle and I was able to hit my second shot on the green.
“My long game was OK, but I need to work on my putting. I’m happy that I’m moving on and that I’ve made it this far.”
Chia, who placed third in the Pacific League Individual Final at Jurupa Hills Country Club in Riverside County on Oct. 21 before tying for 23rd at the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo on Nov. 1, was one of 38 from the field of 89 to shoot an 87 or better Monday. In all, 28 qualified with individual slots, while nine advanced due to being a part of a qualifying team. Elisabeth Bernabe of Anaheim Canyon won the event with a 75.
Chia, Folan and McAvoy had to wait nearly 45 minutes to partake in the playoff because a four-player, third-place playoff took place on the 18th hole.
Crescenta Valley first-year Coach Lee Pope said the conditions proved to be unfavorable for the entire field.
“The course conditions were rough and unbelievable,” Pope said. “It rained pretty hard Sunday night and the course was very wet.
“The greens were tough and Jocelyn had to grind, as did the whole field. The conditions got the best of the field. She worried about the way she played, but she’s going to be playing again Wednesday.”
Chia was one of two participants from the Pacific League to advance to Wednesday. Mya Maw of Arcadia carded an 83.
The top six finishers from Wednesday’s round will advance to the state championship.
“Jocelyn will have to step it up even more,” Pope said. “She will have to shoot to more than three or four over par to move on.
“She’s had a few mental mistakes in her last two rounds. She will play hard and go out there and try her best to move on.”
