Escalon’s golf girls had a busy week, as they were active in both tournament and match play.
On Sept. 23, the varsity girls played in the Trans-Valley League Mid-Season Tournament, hosted at Micke Grove Golf Course in Lodi.
“The mid-season tournament is an 18-hole tournament, as opposed to the normal head-to-head matches that are nine holes,” said head coach Chris Casazza. “Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Orestimba, Ripon, Ripon Christan and Sonora were all in attendance with teams.”
Six Lady Cougars took the course, with the best four scores making up the team score.
“Micke Grove Golf Course was in really great shape. Everything was green and well-manicured. It’s a great setting for a tournament,” Casazza said. “It’s definitely a challenging course. There are a lot of water hazards and well-placed sand bunkers that really forced the girls to think about club selection and shot placement.”
Scoring for Escalon were Rose Percey, 94; Genevieve Casazza, 104; Elizabeth Allan, 108; Samantha Bruns, 119. Competing but not figuring in to the team scoring was Rogue Pultz, carding a 143.
“Rose Percey stepped up with an excellent score, which put her tied for third place,” the coach said.
Casazza placed seventh and Allan placed 10th overall.
“There were a total of 38 golfers, 18 holes, which took the girls about five hours, a long time to focus and keep a competitive mindset,” explained Casazza. “It’s very easy to lose focus and stop putting maximum thought and effort into shots. I was so proud that Escalon had three girls in the top ten.”
As a team, Escalon placed second out the seven TVL schools. Hilmar was first at 411, followed by Escalon, 425; Ripon Christian, 431; Ripon, 437; Hughson, 478; Sonora, 523; Orestimba, 590.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, it was the JV girls getting a chance to play, facing off in an exhibition match against the Hughson JV group at River Oak Golf Course.
“This was a great opportunity for those girls who are new to golf or who are working hard to improve their sills in order to one day make the varsity team,” said the coach. “I was so happy to see the progress the girls have made with their skills, and it was awesome seeing them out on the course competing.”
Hughson took the team win by a score of 194-219. Escalon JV players were Olivia Aceves, 50; Marina Franzia, 50; Leeah Nelson, 58; Sofia Da Silva, 61; Ariella Partida, 62; Lesley Cardenas, 63.
Then it was back to varsity action, as the girls traveled to play at Teleli Golf Course in Sonora to start second round action in the TVL on Thursday, Sept. 26. They came away with a 206-244 win.
“It’s a very difficult course. It has many uphill and slanted fairways, some elevated greens, and blind shots where the girls could not see the pin,” Casazza said.
Escalon scores were Casazza and Allan, 47; Percey, 48, Samantha Bruns, 64.
“It was great to get a decisive win. We felt like we needed that win because the TVL standings are very tight,” said the coach. “I was also so proud of the girls for coming through with awesome scores even though our team was shorthanded for this match.”
