Senior Night for the Lady Cougar golf team saw recognition for three players to go along with a huge win for the program.
Hosted Oct. 15 at home against Ripon, the senior honorees were Genevieve Casazza, Rose Percey and Kamille Thomas.
“I don’t think there has been a match that our team wanted to win more than the one against Ripon,” said head coach Chris Casazza. “The girls wanted it so bad, they could taste it. A lot was on the line. Going into the match, we held second place in TVL by a two-point lead over Ripon.”
Teams get two points for each win and two points for finishing ahead of another team in TVL tournaments, explained the coach.
“We prepared for the match as we normally do with all matches, but we really focused on the mental aspect for this match,” Casazza added. “We talked about playing smart, avoiding risky shots, and making adjustments during the match to compensate for situations that may arise such as a particular club not working as it usually plays.”
The team members also knew they would have to put up consistently good scores in order to get past Ripon.
“Ripon is a tough team with some great golfers. They are the team that matches us the closest, skill and ability wise,” the coach said. “In the end, the girls pulled it out. They played awesome. The girls gave a clutch performance and came away with possibly the most meaningful win of the season. There was definitely a cheer from the girls when they found out they had defeated Ripon, which is something that doesn’t often happen on the golf course.”
Final score was Escalon 155, Ripon 162. Rose Percey and Samantha Bruns carded the low rounds of 38, Elizabeth Allan had a 39 and Genevieve Casazza carded a 40.
Scores not counting were Taylor Bruns, 50; Kamille Thomas, 51.
“For our seniors it was bittersweet,” Casazza said.
Genevieve Csazza is a four-year varsity starter and has played in every match for the last four years, serving as captain of the team. Rose Percey is in her third year and has played in every match since she joined the team, her consistency a key to the success of this year’s squad. Kamille Thomas joined last year as a junior and has made steady progress, improving her game both last season and even more so this year.
“On the ninth hole, Genevieve and Rose shared a hug after they both putted in,” Casazza said. “The final hole on their home courses for the long-time playing partners. There were tears for sure.”
All three seniors received sashes, flowers and personalized golf balls at the conclusion of the match.
“As they walked off of hole 9, the seniors were greeted by the rest of the team, including JV golfers as well as family and friends and one proud coach,” Casazza said.
The final head-to-head match was at Orestimba, and even though Orestimba came in shorthanded and did not post a qualifying team score, Escalon was there to get scores and stay in the running for all-league honors for its players.
“It was a nice relaxing round of golf after the very intense Ripon match the day before,” Casazza said.
Escalon’s team score was 156, paced by Allan at 34, Casazza at 38, Percey at 40 and Samantha Bruns with a 44. Not counted were the 45 of Taylor Bruns and the 56 carded by Mia Fernandes.
The girls were to play in the end of season TVL Tournament at Micke Grove in Lodi this week, with hopes of moving on as a team to the Division 5 Tournament on Oct. 28 in Marysville at Peach Tree Golf Club.
