By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com
Bob Freschi has some words of advice for the three Napa Valley College players who are in the field for the 2023 California Community College Athletic Association Women's Golf State Championships.
Looking ahead to the two-day, 36-hole event, Nov. 13-14 at Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles, Freschi said:
"Just really take it all in and experience it. So, enjoy the moment. Trust the process of what we're doing and compete like you've been doing all year.
"Understand that it's not easy going in and playing in a state championship is tough and there's no guarantees you'll be back."
The Storm's Jill Obelleiro, Ping Yang and Ela Ashley, all freshmen, will conclude the 2023 fall season when they play this week at the 3C2A State Championship Tournament. They each advanced as individual qualifiers from the CCCAA Northern California Regional Championships, Nov. 6-7, Yolo Fliers Club in Woodland. Yolo Fliers, a par-72, 5,300-yard layout, is recognized by the U.S. Golf Association and Northern California Golf Association as a championship venue, according to its website, yolofliers.com.
Obelleiro led the Storm, shooting 89-84 – 173 and finishing ninth overall. Obelleiro was named to the All-Big 8 Conference team.
Yang shot 97-101 – 198 and Ashley shot 100-99 – 199.
"They are going to go play for a state championship," said Freschi. "It's such a pleasure and joy to see these ladies experience it.
"It's getting your heart rate up and getting your nerves going. It's a good feeling. I embrace that. I teach it."
The NVC players were scheduled to have a practice round at Hunter Ranch on Sunday.
Play will be from the Red tee markers, with tee times from No. 1 starting at 9:45 a.m. both days. Hunter Ranch is a par-72, 5,424-yard course.
"That first tee shot – just see how far you can hit it. After that, you're playing golf. We have 36 holes. No matter how bad the first tee shot is, you're still going to have 35 more tee shots," Freschi pointed out.
Advancing as teams from NorCal to the state finals is Modesto Junior College, Reedley College, Sierra College-Rocklin and Sacramento City College. NVC's team season ended with the Storm's fifth-place finish at NorCals.
Southern California will be represented at state by Mt. San Antonio College-Walnut, Moorpark College, College of the Canyons-Santa Clarita and Fullerton College.
Ethel Asequia of Reedley College (73-75 – 148) won the NorCal individual title.
Cathilyn Lee of Fullerton College (70-69 – 139) won the Southern California individual title. It was played at Simi Hills Golf Course, in Simi Valley.
The three Napa Valley players are among the seven individual qualifiers from the NorCal tournament.
The Storm played in 10 Big 8 Conference tournaments during the season.
Napa Valley played in the State Preview/North-South Tournament, Oct. 8-9, at Hunter Ranch Golf Course. The Storm finished eighth in the 14-team field.
"We have our notes from the Preview," said Freschi. "It's a real hilly course. It plays longer because of the hills. So, we really have got to grind on our hybrids and our longer irons. It's knowing the slopes. Knowing the trajectory of your ball is going to be crucial. You have got to club up, if necessary, or club down." Hunter Ranch Golf Course, according to its website, www.hunterranchgolf.com, "is a golfer's delight. Our beautiful 18-hole championship course boasts the best conditions on California's Central Coast. The greens putt fast and smooth, and pristine fairways lined with century-old oak trees, natural lakes, and native grasses await your tee shots." The website, www.hunterranchgolf.com, adds:
"Stands of century-old blue oaks and sparkling lakes frame your views, while a challenging and fun layout tests your mettle. Gently rolling terrain and undulating, well-bunkered greens are designed in the tradition of classic courses such as Augusta National, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach.
"Co-designers Ken Hunter and Mike McGinnis, assisted by a pair of superintendents, moved very little dirt in creating a strategic layout routed through century-old blue oak trees."
* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 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. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.