Chia misses out on state
A second straight appearance to the CIF Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying Tournament will further bolster Jocelyn Chia’s resumé.
Getting to the state tournament is what the Crescenta Valley High sophomore golfer would like to next accomplish.
Chia saw her impressive season come to a close after she carded a 10-over-par 82 to finish in an eight-way tie for 44th on Thursday afternoon at The Golf Club at Rancho California in Murrieta.
“I was hoping I could get to state, but things just didn’t work out,” said Chia, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Golfer of the Year. “It’s a great experience for me just to get back here again.”
The top three teams and nine individuals not on those squads will next compete in the state tournament, which will be held Tuesday at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.
Palm Desert won Tuesday’s team competition with a 392, followed by Torrey Pines (395) and Torrance (402). Sandy Choi of Torrey Pines fired a 70 to earn medalist honors in the field of 118.
Chia, who won the Pacific League’s individual championship and helped the Falcons place second in league and sixth in the CIF Southern Section Central Team Divisional, said she began her 18-hole round fine despite battling strong winds.
“Then, I just had a couple of tough holes in the middle of the round,” said Chia, who advanced to Thursday’s round after shooting a six-over-par 78 to tie for 27th at the CIF Southern Section Individual Final Championships at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente on Monday. “The greens were kind of hard and pretty fast.
“I had a successful year. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done by the team and by myself.”
Chia shot a seven-over 43 on the front nine before completing her round with a three-over-39 on the back nine.
Crescenta Valley Coach Lee Pope said Chia will have two more shots to try to qualify for state.
“She’s a little distraught, but the world isn’t going to end,” Pope said. “She’ll come back here next year and give it another try.
“She knows that she had a great year and it’s pretty good to get to this round twice.”
