By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com

With three players shooting in the 70s, the Napa Valley College men's golf team finished in fifth place at the State Preview Invitational on March 18 at Sandpiper Golf Club, in Goleta (Santa Barbara County).

Playing in a field of 18 teams, Napa Valley posted a 394-team score on a very challenging par-72, 7,100-yard course.

"Really proud of our guys going down there. They competed. They were really excited to play," said Napa Valley coach Bob Freschi. "Just a magnificent golf course. Beautiful conditions."

Markus Nanpei fired a 3-over-par 75 to lead the Storm, which plays in the Big 8 Conference's North division.

Brayden Dixon was next, carding a 4-over-par 76.

Lawrence Pepito had a 7-over-par 79.

"It was very challenging, hard golf course. It was tough," said Freschi. "The greens were rolling really fast. It was a true test of golf. What was nice, though, it was firm, and so when we hit the fairways, we got good roll, which we haven't been used to the last couple months up here in the North. So that was good to see, our roll on the fairways.

"It was a challenge for everybody. The back nine for the guys, the ocean winds picked up. And it was challenging. We hung in there."

Napa Valley went into the one-day event looking to break the 400-scoring mark.

"We did it," said Freschi. "Very proud of all our guys that competed. Great attitude and good effort.

"Great trip. Glad we got to see the course and compete against the other teams."

Also, playing in the lineup for NVC was Matthew Commander, Nick DeBellis and Tyler Momono.

Commander had an 81, DeBellis had an 83, and Momono had an 85.

Napa Valley got a look at Sandpiper, as the Storm and Reedley College played in a dual match on Sunday.

"We had the opportunity to play it. We had a good plan going into it," said Freschi.

"Just a great effort. It was good to see the guys come in the top-5."

The California Community College Athletic Association State Championships, hosted by Santa Barbara City College, are May 12-13, at Sandpiper Golf Club.

"Hopefully, we earn a trip back down there," said Freschi. "First things first is conference, NorCals and then states. It's going to be a very competitive state championship."

Orange Coast College-Costa Mesa won the State Preview Invitational, posting a 385-team score.

Taking second place was Reedley College, with a 388-team score.

Finishing third was Bakersfield College, at 390.

Finishing fourth was Ventura College, at 391. According to its website, www.sandpipergolf.com: "With breathtaking ocean and mountain views from every hole, Sandpiper is truly a memorable experience." The championship course at Sandpiper, according to its website, "has been rated by Golf Digest in the top 25 public golf courses in California and top 100 public courses in the country. It was designed by William F. Bell and opened in 1972, featuring beautiful rolling fairways and challenging greens in a seaside links style layout. Sandpiper's dynamic design attracts players of all skill levels including players of the highest caliber."

Also in the field was College of the Canyons No. 1-Valencia, 398; Santa Barbara City College, 400; College of the Canyons No. 2, 401; Cypress College, 401; Saddleback College-Mission Viejo, 402; Mt. San Antonio College-Walnut, 404; Fresno City College, 409; Glendale Community College, 409; Modesto Junior

College, 413; College of the Desert-Palm Desert, 419; Antelope Valley College-Lancaster, 430; Mt. San Jacinto College-San Jacinto, 436; and Hancock College-Santa Maria, 464.

The field also consisted of 12 additional individual players.

Napa Valley plays next in a Big 8 Conference tournament on Wednesday at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton at 11:30 a.m.

* 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.