Golfers perform well in the tournament, the second half begins

The Escalon golf girls had a busy week as they competed in both tournament and match play.

On Sept. 23, the varsity girls played in the Trans-Valley League Mid-Season Tournament held at Micke Grove Golf Course in Lodi.

“The mid-season tournament is an 18-hole tournament, as opposed to the normal nine-hole head-to-head,” said head coach Chris Casazza. “Escalon, Hilmar, Hughson, Orestimba, Ripon, Ripon Christan and Sonora were all present with their teams.”

Six Lady Cougars took part in the course, with the best four results contributing to the team score.

“The Micke Grove golf course was in really great condition. Everything was green and well-kept. “It’s a great setting for a tournament,” Casazza said. “It’s definitely a challenging course. There are lots of water hazards and well-placed sand bunkers which 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. Rogue Pultz competed but did not compete in the team scoring, scoring a 143.

“Rose Percey followed up with an excellent result and secured third place,” said the trainer.

Casazza finished seventh and Allan tenth overall.

“There were a total of 38 golfers on 18 holes, it took the girls about five hours, a long time to concentrate and maintain a competitive attitude,” explained Casazza. “It’s very easy to lose focus and stop putting too much thought and effort into the recording. I was so proud that Escalon had three girls in the top ten.”

As a team, Escalon placed second among the seven TVL schools. Hilmar was first with 411, followed by Escalon with 425; Ripon Christian, 431; Ripon, 437; Hughson, 478; Sonora, 523; Orestimba, 590.

On Tuesday, September 24th, the JV girls got the chance to play and competed against the Hughson JV group in a friendly at River Oak Golf Course.

“This was a great opportunity for the girls who are new to golf or are working hard to improve their skills to one day make the varsity team,” the coach said. “I was so happy to see the progress the girls made with their skills and it was great to see them competing on the track.”

Hughson took the team victory with 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 Teleli Golf Course in Sonora to begin the second round of the TVL on Thursday, September 26th. They won 206:244.

“It is a very difficult course. There are a lot of uphill and sloping fairways, some elevated greens and blind shots where the girls couldn’t see the marker,” Casazza said.

Escalon scores were Casazza and Allan, 47; Percey, 48, Samantha Bruns, 64.

“It was great to get a decisive win. We felt we needed this win because the TVL standings are very close,” said the coach. “I was also so proud of the girls who achieved great results despite our team being short-handed for this game.”