Jordan Lowe returns to state tournament for Napa Valley College women's golf team
By MARTY JAMES
Jordan Lowe ended her freshman season for Napa Valley College by placing 33rd at the 2018 California Community College Athletic Association Women's Golf State Championships.
Lowe, a Vacaville High School graduate who received All-Big 8 Conference honors last year, had rounds of 86 and 84 for a 170 total at Morro Bay Golf Course, located in San Luis Obispo County.
Lowe would like to improve upon her score from a year ago when she returns to Morro Bay, a scenic par-72 course on the Central Coast, later this week to play in the state tournament. It's scheduled for Nov. 17-18, with shotgun starts both days.
"I didn't think I was going to be able to do it two years in a row, and I did. It feels pretty special," Lowe said before a practice session on Wednesday at Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park.
"I'm glad that I'm getting this experience to do it two times. Hopefully I can beat my score from last year. The experience for the past two years has been amazing."
Lowe, playing in the No. 1 spot for the Storm all season, advanced to the state tournament by finishing as the third individual qualifier at the two-day, 36-hole Northern California Regional Championships earlier this month at Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club in Tulare County.
Lowe, a sophomore, had rounds of 88 and 91 for a 179 total on a very challenging par-72 links-style championship course, designed by John Fought.
She was very solid and consistent over her last nine holes, shooting 5-over 41 on the back nine.
"She definitely earned it," NVC coach Bob Freschi said. "She had to compose herself, gather herself and then shot a great 41. I'm very proud of Jordan.
"She'll be playing for a state championship. She has a passion for golf. She enjoys life in general. She's a true student-athlete that committed to our program and is just a joy to be around.
"There is nothing easy about golf. Just because she made it last year, it's no guarantee she's going to make it this year. At some point in the season, she has gotten a little more confident."
Reedley College won the NorCal team title, shooting 326-330 – 656, and moved on to state, joining Modesto (337-323 – 660), Sierra of Rocklin (340-333 – 673), and San Joaquin Delta of Stockton (364-353 – 717).
Melanie Anderson of Sierra was the individual medalist, shooting 156. Monica Yu of Reedley (157) was second, Jordan Rooker of Sierra (157) was third, Samantha Smedslammer of Sacramento City (159) was fourth, and Arianna Custodio of Sacramento City (159) was fifth.
Napa Valley's Baylee Vyenielo (92-93 – 185) and Ruthie Bowen (95-97 – 192), both sophomores, played as individuals at the Northern California Regional Championships, but did not advance.
Reedley won the Big 8 Conference title.
Napa Valley played in nine Big 8 Conference tournaments, and completed the conference tournament season, with the Storm shooting a season-low 399 total to finish sixth out of eight teams at Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon (San Joaquin County). Lowe led Napa Valley, shooting an 85.
"She's a competitor," said Freschi. "She has the ability."
Only the top four teams, along with six individuals not on those teams, move on to state from NorCals.
Lowe, named as an All-Monticello Empire League player for Vacaville High, will play a practice round at Morro Bay on Saturday. Play will be from a combination of white/gold tees, according to the CCCAA. The format is 36 holes, with shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. on Monday.
"Morro Bay Golf Course has tree-lined fairways and greens that are hard to read. On a clear day the tree lined fairways and ocean views are stunning. This beautiful facility offers hilly terrain, placing a premium on club selection, but the real test comes in the putting," according to golfmorrobay.com.
"This player friendly course offers a gracious layout featuring stunning panoramic ocean views from every hole. The scenic property overlooks the quaint beach town of Morro Bay while the Pacific Ocean provides the backdrop," according to golfmorrobay.com.
The challenge will be around the greens and having a short game, said Freschi.
"I think the course suits her well, but it's about the short game – that's where she needs to put it all together," he said. "There's a good chance it will be foggy and cold. Those are elements that you have got to deal with."
Lowe has spent a lot of time in the last two weeks working on her putting. She can drive it well off the tee, getting very good length and accuracy.
Lowe has experience at Morro Bay, having played the course in the past.
"It's just getting acclimated to that golf course," said Freschi. "I've been telling her this all year, that it's the short game, that she's going to have to pitch and chip."
Getting as familiar and comfortable as possible with the greens during the practice round is key, said Lowe, who will graduate from Napa Valley in the spring.
"I could drop my score by six, seven strokes just because of my putting there," she said.
Freschi will work with Lowe on a game plan following her practice round.
"She is going to have to battle to get it on the green," said Freschi.
Lowe has been getting treatment from Brandon Lucas, NVC's athletic trainer, for injuries to her lower back and both knees for patellar tendonitis. Lowe also sees a chiropractor for treatment.
"Brandon has really helped me out a lot. I go in there two to three times a week to get treatment and it's really helped a lot this year," said Lowe.
College of the Canyons of Santa Clarita leads four teams from Southern California into the state tournament.
Canyons won its second straight CCCAA Southern California Championship, shooting 327-318 – 645 at Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas, located in Los Angeles County.
Saddleback of Mission Viejo, College of the Desert of Palm Desert, and Santa Barbara City College also advanced as teams.
Haruka Koda of College of the Canyons was the individual medalist. Koda had rounds of 72 and 73 for a 145 total. Katie Stribling of Saddleback was second, shooting 78-75 – 153.
* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association, Associated Press Sports Editors, and California Prep Sports Media Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in September of 2019.