Panich tied for first at state

GLENDALE — Though she struggled with her short game Monday, Tammy Panich was determined not to let that throw her off the other parts of her game during the first round of the California Community College Athletic Assn. Women’s Golf State Championships.

Panich, a sophomore at Glendale Community College, shook off a few missed putts and put herself into a tie atop the leader board following the first round of the prestigious event.

Panich recorded 14 pars to register a two-over-par 76 at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills. She also had one birdie and three bogeys and will tee off at 10:53 a.m. today with the hope of becoming the first Vaquero in the program’s four-year history to win the state crown.

“I thought I went out there and did well, but my puts couldn’t drop,” said Panich, a Glendale High graduate who finished tied with Kayla Riede of Sacramento City College. “I thought that I did finish strong.

“I’m pretty confident going into [today’s round] and I just have to be able to keep my focus and tell myself that I can win it.”

Panich, who captured the Western State Conference championship, and Riede own a one-stroke lead over Taylor Gould of College of the Canyons and Elisse Van Deusen of Sacramento. Riede finished runner-up in last year’s competition.

Glendale college first-year Coach Greg Osbourne said Panich kept her composure against the best field she’s faced this season.

“She went out there and just played so well,” Osbourne said. “She just never made a putt.

“She had a couple of shots that just rolled past the hole. Had she made a couple of those putts, she would be way out in front. She’s got to break it out and she can win state. I think it’s going to come down to putting.”