WATERS SINKS HOLE IN ONE AT STATE TOURNAMENT

The 2023 State Tournament was at Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles. Hunter Ranch was the most difficult course played all season, worthy of the 3C2A State Championship test. The greens were rolling 12 on the stimpmeter (which is how green speed is measured), and many water hazards were in play, as well as mountain slopes. The field consisted of 60 of the state's best players, with 30 coming from the North and 30 from the South. Because of the extreme difficulty, the daily average for day 1 was 89.7, and day 2 was 88.3.

 

Terry Muller shot 90 in Round 1 and 90 in Round 2. Terry battled hard throughout the tournament and was on the receiving end of many breaks that did not go her way. Despite the tough breaks, Terry carded her first eagle of her career in Round 1, driving the green on a par 4 and capping it off with a great putt. Her combined score of 180 resulted in a 36th-place finish. "I'm proud of how Terry battled throughout the course of this tournament... sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way, which is outside of any golfer's control, but Terry had a phenomenal freshman season, and great things are ahead for her," said head coach Patrick Londono. Terry's freshman season included receiving All-Conference honors, shooting career lows of 78 and 75 at the Southern California Regionals, and finishing inside the top 10.

 

Taylor Waters shot an 82 in Round 1 and 78 in Round 2 (career low). Taylor's round 1 score included a lost ball on the 15th hole after hitting a perfectly struck 3 wood over a water hazard that subsequently went missing by the green, resulting in a penalty of 2 strokes and ultimately a double bogey. She responded on the 16th hole by hitting a pitching wedge straight into the cup for the first hole in one of her life and possibly in 3C2A state finals history. Taylor's Round 1 score was good enough for 10th overall on the day, and the 78 career-low was good enough for 5th on the day, resulting in an 8th-place finish overall. The 8th place finish is the second-best individual finish in AVC golf history, behind 2021 State Champion Arlene Salvador's state record. Taylor's stellar freshman season resulted in All-Conference honors, shooting career-low rounds at regionals, finishing 14th overall, and shooting another career-low at the State Finals in route to finishing inside the top 10.

 

"Taylor's performance at the State Finals was memorable, to say the least," commented London."Her shot-making ability in pressure scenarios is exceptional, and this tournament highlighted her ability to rise to the biggest of challenges."