The Fullerton College women’s golf took second place at the state championship tournament in Modesto, on Monday, and Tuesday.
The four teams involved were Santa Barbara Community College, FC, Cañada Community College and Modesto Community College.
SBCC was in first place, after the first day with a combined score of 317. The Hornets were only ten strokes back at 327.
Cañada was at 333, and Modesto was down at the bottom with a 342. Only the top four individual scores are totaled up to make the team score. The Hornets were lead by two players, Paulina Dejamco and Nea Bennett, who both had a score of 80. FC’s score was finished off by Kacy Kaichi’s 83 and Shanna Siaki’s 84.
The two top individual scores for the day both came from the first day’s leaders Santa Barbara. Fanny Johansson shot a 74 and Vanesa Villa shot a 77.
The Hornets feel like they could be in first place, but made too many mistakes when it came time to execute.
“We need to putt better,” head coach Debi Woelke said. “We did not putt very well in the first round, but to only be down by ten strokes going into day two is not bad at all.”
Even though the Hornets did not feel they were in top form, they still will say that SBCC also just played a great round.
“They made some big shots,” Woelke said. “I saw them chip in a few times from off the green. I do not think our girls were able to do that once today.”
Going into the second day, the Hornets knew that they would have to be on top of their game to make up for the ten stroke deficit against Santa Barbara. They had a better day, by shooting a 323. Santa Barbara shot 329, but the Hornets still fell four strokes short.
“It did not help going in that we were down ten strokes,” Woelke said. “But, there are always shots that we could have done differently.”
Bennett and Dejamco once again led the Hornets, with both shooting a 79. In the indiviual tournament, Bennet was tied for second in the state, which would make her an all-state player. The tournament was still in progress at production time.
“This team has been amazing,” said Bennett. “I have never been on a team that was close like this. We were all close and just wanted to see each other get better.”
Dejamco was the only sophomore on the team, and the other members will all be returning next year.
“These two years at Fullerton have been extremely special to me,” said Dejamco. “I wanted to come here and make a difference for this program and I think I did that.”
Next year, the team has a lot to look forward to considering that most of the team will be returning.
“I think that we are definitely the favorites heading into next year,” said Woelke. “That being said, I will still recruit the same and look for players to improve the team.