Chia falls short of state

By Charles Rich

Nov. 11, 2010 12 AM PT

GLENDALE — Though she fell short of qualifying for the state championship, Crescenta Valley High girls’ golfer Jocelyn Chia doesn’t have any regrets.

The freshman battled for the Pacific League individual championship before advancing to the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Regional and the CIF Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying Tournament.

Playing in the biggest match of her high school career Wednesday, Chia fired a seven-over-par 79 to finish in an eight-way tie for 49th place at the WSCGA Foundation Tournament at The Golf Club at Rancho California in Murrieta.

“It was a lot of fun for me to be there and there were a lot of players who had the same kind of experience as me,” said Chia, who finished third in the league’s individual final. “It was an honor to be there.

“I did OK. I struggled with my putting, but my chipping and striking were OK. The other players and coaches were telling me that I did real good for a freshman. That makes me feel good.”

Kaitlin Park of Beckman carded a 66 to win the event by two strokes over Lauren Diaz-Yi of Westlake and Marissa Borja of Steele Canyon. The top six finishers from the field of 124 and top three teams moved on to the state championship, which will be held Tuesday at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga.

Torrance won the team competition with a 372, followed by Torrey Pines (374) and Palm Desert (378).

Crescenta Valley first-year Coach Lee Pope said Chia, who advanced to Wednesday’s round after surviving a three-player playoff on Monday at the qualifying Tournament at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc, improved Wednesday.

“Her results were better than before,” Pope said. “Her scores improved, but you had to be on top of your game to move on.

“She had a good day and it was a good bounce back for her. She had to play so hard just to get here. She’s battle-tested from playing in a lot of junior tournaments and what she did [Wednesday] can only help her for the future. I’m looking forward to her getting back here again.”