NVC men's golf wins its sixth Big 8 Conference North Division tournament
Photo: Head coach Bob Freschi, middle, is joined by his Napa Valley College men's golf team, from left, Jaxen Perryman, Matthew Commander, Markus Nanpei, Nick DeBellis, Anthony Guiomar, Brayden Dixon
Courtesy photo
By MARTY JAMES
The Napa Valley College men's golf team won its sixth Big 8 Conference North Division tournament on Wednesday, as the Storm shot 398 at The Ridge Golf Club in Auburn.
It was also the fifth tournament win in a row of the spring season for the Storm, which was led by co-individual low medalists Markus Nanpei and Matthew Commander with 3-over-par 75s.
The Ridge Golf Club is a par-72, 6,600-yard layout.
It was the Big 8 Conference's eighth North Division tournament.
"It wasn't easy up there," said Napa Valley coach Bob Freschi. "Beautiful course. We had a really nice round. We've been getting it done."
San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton was second with a 401-team score.
Sierra College-Rocklin was third with a 405-team score.
Modesto Junior College was fourth with a 435-team score.
Nick DeBellis tied for fourth place individually, shooting a 6-over-par 78.
Also, for the Storm, it was Anthony Guiomar with an 84, Jaxen Perryman with an 86, and Brayden Dixon with an 88.
"We knew it was going to be a challenge. We did our research on the course, but again, it goes back to being able to execute when it matters the most," said Freschi. "And when you play away from trouble, if you do miss, you miss in a safe spot.
"And it's the ability to understand our philosophy off the tee and our approach shots and do your best to make par and move on. Every now and then your birdie putts will roll in, and just eliminate (double and triple bogeys).
"Overall, as a team, we did a real nice job of that and I believe why we came in first place."
Commander turned in a very good round for Napa Valley.
"He was really striping the ball and playing with confidence. He didn't hesitate pulling his clubs," said Freschi.
Commander finished strong, as he birdied the par-3, 17th hole, hitting his tee shot to within four feet and making the putt.
He followed that with a par on the 18th hole.
"Matthew is striking it well, understanding what it takes to play a good round of golf," said Freschi.
Nanpei is having a very good season for the Storm.
"He had some birdie putts that didn't go his way. He said a couple of those birdie putts go down, he's right at par. Good for Markus for playing well," said Freschi.
Napa Valley's next Big 8 Conference tournament is on Monday, April 8 at Turlock Golf & Country Club.
Three players posted scores in the 70s for the Napa Valley College men's golf team and the Storm won the Big 8 Conference North division's seventh tournament of the spring season on Monday, March 25, at
* 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.