Troy High School of Fullerton finished second in the CIF State Girls High School Championships the last two years before finally claiming the 2018 title by two strokes over Dougherty Valley of San Ramon at the Victoria Club https://www.victoriaclub.com in Riverside.
Isabel Sy, who birdied three of her last four holes, sank a par-saving 10-foot putt on the last hole to clinch the victory for the Warriors.
“That was basically relief that it was finally done; it was pretty emotional,” said Sy, whose approach shot flew over the green before she chipped to within 10 feet and sank the putt. “We have been working hard for the past three years, being second in state so many times, and this year we finally did it.
“I was disappointed at first (after her approach), but then I told myself, ‘One chip and one putt and everything will be fine.’ I just forgot everything after that chip. I tried to relax and do my part, and try to make the putt. But after that chip, I thought there was a chance I might not make it. I knew that was a putt that could make a difference for the team.”
Troy, which finished second behind University last year and Walnut in 2016, posted a winning score of 382, 22-over-par, while Dougherty finished second at 384, followed by Diamond Bar at 388, Granite Bay at 393, Mater Dei of Santa Ana at 397 and Carondelet of Concord at 413.
All five Troy players shot in the 70s.
“This is a goal that we have had for a long time,” Troy coach Jerry Cowgill said. “And year by year, we have been getting better and better. It is so cool to have this singular goal from the beginning of the year after finishing second the past two years and achieve it.
“Having the season that we had, I mean we blew people away all season. To finish second again would have been hard to take.”
Junior Brianna Navarossa of Mater Dei claimed the individual title at 4-under-68, while Mika Jin of Irvington shot 70 to tie for second with Alexa Melton of Diamond Bar.
“My putting really came through and when I knew I was falling behind the lead I had that fire to push on, knowing I could rely on my short game,” said Navarrosa, who collected five birdies on the back nine, including a 10-footer on the last hole.
Emma Han of Diamond Bar shot 71 to tie for fourth with Briana Chacon of La Serna in Whittier and Kelly Xu of Claremont, while Kailie Vonsgasa of Diamond Bar was seventh at 72.
Sy totaled 78 to tie for eighth with Danielle Suh of Dougherty Valley, while Steffi Li of Dougherty Valley finished at 74 to tie for 10th with Angela Heo of Murrieta Mesa.
Rounding out the scoring for team champion Troy were Sherilyn Villanueva in a tie for 12th at 75, Mylan Hirata in a tie for 17th at 77, Elsye Kim in a tie for 23rd at 78 and Kamile Dimayuga in a tie for 28th at 79.
For complete results, visit https://calam-2018cifstategirlshighschoolchampio.golfgenius.com/pages/3920367078816633440
