GCC women’s golf advances to state championships again
Things appeared bleak for the members of the Glendale Community College women’s golf team in their bid to advance to the state tournament for the second season in a row.
In fact, Glendale college Coach Greg Osbourne retreated from the scoring area to the team van not sure what would be in store for the Vaqueros. About 20 minutes later, Osbourne was greeted by his players with the verdict — the Vaqueros qualified for state.
“I was sitting in the van charging my phone and texting the players,” said Osbourne, whose team shot a 339 to finish second with a two-round score of 671 at the Southern California Regionals on Tuesday afternoon at San Luis Rey Downs Country Club in Bonsall. “When I was walking to the van, I heard some of the other schools saying they made it and I didn’t feel good.
“There was all this suspense. Then our players came toward me to let me know what happened. I’m just happy we are extending our season another week. It’s well deserved.”
Irvine Valley, which won the event with a 626 after carding a 313 on Tuesday, and Glendale will move to the state tournament. They will be joined by Canada and San Joaquin Delta from the Northern California Regional. The top 12 individuals from each regional will participate in the state tournament, which will take place Monday and Tuesday at Temecula Creek Golf Course in Temecula.
Glendale, which finished second in the state tournament one stroke behind Palomar last season, moved from fourth place after Monday to second in the six-team tournament that featured 36 players. The Vaqueros trailed second-place Mount San Jacinto by four strokes and Palomar by two entering the final round.
The Vaqueros, who won the Western State Conference championship for the second consecutive season, took to task what needed to be done to advance.
“We knew that we just had to be calm and continue to play our game,” said sophomore Vicanda Ma, who shot a five-over-par 77 to finish fifth with a two-round tally of 156. “We had to play each hole carefully and find a way to lower our scores.
“I felt confident with my game. It’s just great to be moving on.”
Palomar placed third with a two-round tally of 672, followed by Mount San Jacinto (681), College of the Canyons (688) and Saddleback (719).
Canyons’ Kris Grimes, the defending state individual champion, fired a 79 to win the event with a 150. Kate Cho of Irvine Valley was second with a 152.
Pattraporn Silawanna of Glendale shot an 81 to finish sixth at 157. Glendale’s Chardae Hudson recorded a 91 to finish at 181, followed by teammate Jasmine Daniel, who had a 90 for 183.
