By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com
AMERICAN CANYON – There are a number of things that head coach Bob Freschi likes when he looks at the Napa Valley College men's golf team. There is the abundance of talent and depth.
There is all the work that the players have put in over the last six months. There is the leadership that both Markus Nanpei and Matthew Commander, the team's only sophomores, bring to the program.
There is the excitement of working with the freshmen class and getting them ready and prepared for the dual matches and tournaments that are coming up.
"It's a talented group," Freschi said during a recent practice round for the Storm at Chardonnay Golf Club & Vineyards, NVC's home course. "We have depth this year and we're very talented. So, just excited to kick off our season and watch these men reap the benefits of what they've been working on for the last six months. Now, just play and be competitive and believe in our system and what we're teaching, and go out and put up a good number. "We have depth where we haven't had in the past. We are carrying a couple extra players this season. They've got to put up some low numbers."
Nanpei and Commander are the only returning players from last year's team, which performed very well – finishing in fourth place in the Big 8 Conference, third at the California Community College Athletic Association Northern California Regional Championships, and fourth place at the CCCAA State Championships.
"Our two returning players, Markus and Matthew, have the experience and the leadership and the game to help these freshmen to understand the peaks and valleys of our golf season, of going to different locations, different courses, different conditions and putting up a respectable number," said Freschi.
"I'm really excited. It's nice to have depth. Talent and depth. I can't wait see what kind of numbers they put up to start the season.
"They play for one another. They compete against one another. And they have a good time doing it. We're looking to do some damage in Northern California and then see what happens. But you never know until you start teeing off. It's being able to do it, day in and day out. And that's what we talk about – the consistency of our game and our daily routine, being in a routine and having that belief that you're better than anybody else on that day."
This year, the Big 8 Conference has two divisions. In the North, it's Napa Valley, Sierra-Rocklin, San Joaquin Delta-Stockton and Modesto. In the South, it's Reedley, Fresno City, San Jose City and Taft.
The Big 8 Conference has 12 tournaments.
"When we're competing, you've got to be able to win your group. You can't afford to take a match off, either, because there's guys at home. (Nos.) 7 and 8 are ready to get into the top 6. So, you better play like you're a No. 1," said Freschi.
"The freshmen are great ball strikers. They're now learning how to score, how to shoot in the mid- 70s."
Silverado Resort and Spa will host the Big 8 Conference's fourth tournament of the season, on Feb. 28.
Chardonnay Golf Club & Vineyards will host the Big 8 Conference's fifth tournament on March 4 and the conference's 12th tournament on April 24.
Napa Valley will face Reedley College in a dual match on March 17 at Sandpiper Golf Club in Goleta.
The Storm will play in the State Preview Invitational at Sandpiper Golf Club on March 18.
Napa Valley also has dual matches scheduled against San Joaquin Delta and Modesto Junior College.
"I think we have the talent to perform well," said Nanpei. "It's almost like a brand-new team as well. So, it's kind of like last year, in that sense. But I see a lot of really good talent here, too."
NVC players have been going at it since the fall, practicing and playing and getting in their rounds.
The Storm's assistant coach is David Knox, a PGA Class A golf professional and the Director of Instruction at Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park.
"I think we should be ready for this season. I'm excited," said Nanpei. "I've been trying to work as hard as I can."
Nanpei had an outstanding freshman season for NVC.
Last year, he was named to the All-Big 8 Conference team. He won the individual title at the CCCAA Northern California Regional Championship, shooting 68-74 – 142 in the two-day, 36-hole event at Castle Oaks Golf Club in Ione (Amador County). As the low medalist, Nanpei was presented with the CCCAA tournament's first-place medal and the Napa Valley team was awarded the third-place trophy. Nanpei tied for 11th place, shooting 71-72 – 143, at the CCCAA State Championships at Dragonfly Golf Club, in Madera.
Nanpei will play in the No. 1 spot in the NVC lineup.
"He's our guy. He needs to match up against everybody's No. 1 and beat those No. 1's," said Freschi. "Our philosophy is, whatever group you're in, you're competing to win that group. So, you play to compete to win in whatever group you're in.
"When you have a player like Markus, I feel pretty good about going into our season against anybody in the state of California. He's such a talent. He is so skilled. I'm really excited to see him hitting the ball farther now because he's bigger and stronger. He's always had just a beautiful short game. And so, he's going to be fun to watch. Great attitude and just enjoys playing. Headed in the season, he knows what to expect and he's ready to compete to be the best golfer in Northern California."
Nanpei signed a national letter-of-intent with Weber State on Nov. 8 in the NVC Athletic Department. He will transfer to Weber State, where he will join the Wildcats golf program in the fall of 2024 as a junior. He will play for Weber State on a scholarship.
Nanpei, who is from Mangilao, Guam, placed in several tournaments last summer.
He finished in third place in the Guam Amateur Golf Championship, at the Country Club of the Pacific, in Ipan, Talofofo.
He placed 10th at The Bay Regional Championship at Tilden Park Golf Course in Berkeley.
He won the championship flight of the Antioch City Amateur Championship, firing rounds of 68 and 66 and completing the two-day, 36-hole event, at Lone Tree Golf Club, at 10-under-par 134. It's an official Northern California Golf Association points event.
He tied for fourth place in the scratch division of the Concord City Amateur Championship, at Diablo Creek Golf Course. He shot 69-75 – 144 in the two-day, 36-hole event, which is listed on the NCGA schedule.
Commander tied for 28th place at NorCals, shooting 81-78 – 159.
He posted solid scores in the regular season, including:
* 4-over-par 75, Big 8 Conference's 10th tournament, at Whitney Oaks Golf Club in Rocklin.
* 4-over-par 76, dual match against Reedley College, Chardonnay Golf Club & Vineyards in American Canyon.
"With Matthew coming back, his game has improved since last spring, so that will be fun to watch," said Freschi.
NVC has the potential to have a big year, said Commander.
"I've seen a lot of good stuff in the fall," said Commander. "I think we've worked well together. It's different with having 10 guys out here. It's not really the same dynamic that we had last year, of only having a set 6 (players). I look forward to getting to know everyone a little more as the season goes on.
"The number one thing about being out here is you have got to enjoy it. If you're not having fun with the travel, just the whole grind of it, if it's not enjoyable for you, you're not going to make it, especially on the golf course. You need to be enjoying yourself, or else you're not going to play well."
Playing near the top of the NVC lineup will be Lawrence Pepito, who is from The Philippines.
"He is so talented, drives the ball really well, and is a great chipper," said Freschi.
Pepito graduated in 2021 from Saint Paul's School of Ormoc Foundation, in Ormoc City, Philippines.
"Luckily, I found a school here at Napa Valley College," said Pepito.
Pepito is impressed with all the talent and skill of the players around him as everyone continues to prepare for the season.
"I feel like the team right now has really good potential. I really feel like we can win some tournaments," said Pepito. "I've seen everybody work hard for it, because we know that for us to get good results, we also have to put the work in. We've been helping each other.
"We want to start the season strong. We also want to end the season strong." A look at this year's team; listing player, year in school, high school: * Markus Nanpei: sophomore, Father Duenas Memorial School, Mangilao, Guam
* Jaxen Perryman: freshman, North Tahoe High School, Tahoe City
* Lawrence Pepito: freshman, Saint Paul's School of Ormoc Foundation, Ormoc City, Philippines
* Max Taylor: freshman (redshirt), Santa Rosa High School
* Tyler Momono: freshman, Pinole Valley High School
* Anthony Guiomar: freshman, Castro Valley High School
* Matthew Commander: sophomore, Vintage High School
* Braydin Savangsy: freshman (redshirt), Pleasant Valley High School-Chico
* Nick DeBellis: freshman, El Cerrito High School
* Brayden Dixon: freshman, Carlsbad High School
* 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.