Baylee Vynielo to play in State Tournament for NVC Women's Golf

Baylee Vynielo to play in State Tournament for NVC Women's Golf

Baylee Vynielo to play in state tournament for Napa Valley College women's golf team

By MARTY JAMES

martyjames.sports@gmail.com

Napa Valley College sophomore Baylee Vyenielo finished as the first alternate at the Northern California Regional Championships, a two-day, 36-hole tournament, Nov. 4 and 5, at Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club in Tulare County.

On Thursday, Vyenielo found out that she will be in the field for the 2019 California Community College Women's Golf State Championships, joining her teammate, Jordan Lowe, who is also a sophomore.

An injury to a player from Sierra College of Rocklin opened the door for Vyenielo to continue her season, NVC coach Bob Freschi said.

"I know that she really wanted to make states, but it didn't happen at NorCals," said Freschi. "But she is the first alternate and you never know what may happen.

"I'm excited for both Jordan and Baylee to go play for a state championship. I think they both have the attitude of, whatever happens, happens. They'll play with no fear or hesitation and really play loose. They're excited to be down there and play some good golf."

The CCCAA state tournament will be played Nov. 17 and 18 at the par-72 Morro Bay Golf Course, located on the Central Coast, in San Luis Obispo County. Play will be from a combination of white/gold tees, according to the CCCAA. The format is 36 holes, with shotgun starts of 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. on Monday.

The field will consist of 60 players.

Vyenielo, a graduate of Analy High School in Sebastopol, finished as the fifth individual and was the first alternate after shooting 92-93 – 185 for Napa Valley at NorCals.

"Baylee was the first alternate, so she got in. She is really excited," said Freschi. "I'm extremely proud of her. She has put in hard work for the last few years, coming out of Analy High School. She wasn't sure if she wanted to continue playing golf and go to school.

"I'm glad that she committed to play golf for us. She has had a good two years. She has gotten better over the course of the last year. She drives the ball really well. She's not long off the tee, but she's really straight. She keeps the ball in play. She is a good putter."

College of the Canyons of Santa Clarita is the defending state champion and won its second straight CCCAA Southern California Championship, which was played at Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas, located in Los Angeles County.

* 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.