Due to concerns over COVID-19, the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) Board of Directors voted to postpone indefinitely, practices outside of regularly scheduled classes, and competition for all spring sports and those sports in their nontraditional seasons. The CCCAA Board understands the impact this will have on our student-athletes. The CCCAA will be working to minimize those impacts when it comes to student-athlete CCCAA eligibility, as well as at the four-year college level. For more information and updates, visit the CCCAA website.
By MARTY JAMES
martyjames.sports@gmail.com
Napa Valley College sophomores Jordan Lowe and Baylee Vynielo each played in their final tournament for Napa Valley College by placing at the 2019 California Community College Athletic Association Women’s Golf State Championship on Monday at Morro Bay Golf Course.
Lowe, a Vacaville High School graduate who has played in the No. 1 spot all season for the Storm, had one of the lowest rounds of the day, shooting 80, a season-low score.
Lowe, playing in her second straight CCCAA state finals, finished the two-day, 36-hole tournament in a tie for 36th place. Lowe opened with a 96 in the first round on Sunday. She had a 176 total.
Vynielo, a graduate of Analy High School in Sebastopol, placed 50th. Vynielo shot 91 on Sunday and had a 94 on Monday, completing the event with a 185 total.
“To go out and have your career end at Morro Bay and to have this experience that they went through is phenomenal,” NVC coach Bob Freschi said. “I’m so glad and happy for them. A lot of golfers in the state of California. To be the best of the best is great. Baylee and Jordan going out the way they did today was pretty special.”
Morro Bay Golf Course is a par-72, 5,378-yard layout in San Luis Obispo County.
By MARTY JAMES
martyjames.sports@gmail.com
The 2019 California Community College Athletic Association Women’s Golf State Championship began on Sunday with first-round play at Morro Bay Golf Course, a par-72, 5,378-yard layout, in San Luis Obispo County.
Napa Valley College is well represented, with Baylee Vynielo and Jordan Lowe, both sophomores, playing in their final event for the Storm.
Vynielo is in 46th place after an opening round 91.
Lowe is tied for 52nd place after shooting a 96.
“Baylee played really well and had a really nice round going,” Napa Valley coach Bob Freschi said.
“Jordan struggled. She just couldn’t get the ball off the tee. It was just one of those days. But she hung in there and battled hard.”
There is more golf ahead for both Vynielo, a graduate of Analy High School in Sebastopol, and Lowe, a Vacaville High graduate.
Monday’s final round begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The two-day, 36-hole tournament concludes with an awards ceremony at the Morro Bay Golf Course clubhouse.
Freschi said he plans to tell both NVC players to enjoy the moment, to take it all in, to concentrate on each shot, and try to beat their season low score as they play one last time for the NVC women’s golf team.
“It’s their last time going out in their Napa Valley career,” said Freschi. “Go out there, compete and have a good time. Enjoy it. You may not be down here again.”
The weather and conditions were ideal – “picture perfect,” as Freschi described it – for the first round.
Lowe is making her second appearance at state. She finished 33rd last year, with rounds of 86 and 84 for a 170 total. She was named to the All-Big 8 Conference team as a freshman.
Lowe advanced to state this year as the third individual qualifier at the two-day, 36-hole Northern California Regional Championships earlier this month at Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club in Tulare County.
Jordan Lowe ended her freshman season for Napa Valley College by placing 33rd at the 2018 California Community College Athletic Association Women’s Golf State Championships.
Lowe, a Vacaville High School graduate who received All-Big 8 Conference honors last year, had rounds of 86 and 84 for a 170 total at Morro Bay Golf Course, located in San Luis Obispo County.
Lowe would like to improve upon her score from a year ago when she returns to Morro Bay, a scenic par-72 course on the Central Coast, later this week to play in the state tournament. It’s scheduled for Nov. 17-18, with shotgun starts both days.
“I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it two years in a row, and I did. It feels pretty special,” Lowe said before a practice session on Wednesday at Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park.
“I’m glad that I’m getting this experience to do it two times. Hopefully I can beat my score from last year. The experience for the past two years has been amazing.”
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.”
Napa Valley College’s Jordan Lowe advanced to the California Community College Athletic Association Women’s Golf State Championships by finishing as the fourth individual qualifier at the two-day, 36-hole Northern California Regional Championships.
But it was not golf that he pursued later on. He chose baseball.
Freschi, a shortstop, was selected All-North Peninsula League for Terra Nova High School.
He was named All-Coast Conference for two years at Skyline College in San Bruno. He received most outstanding sophomore athlete honors at Skyline.
He made the All-West Coast Conference team as a third baseman for the University of San Francisco.
It was a banner season for the Napa Valley College women’s golf team in 2018.
Led by head coach Bob Freschi, the Storm took third place in the very tough Big 8 Conference and finished third in the conference’s final tournament of the fall season. Jordan Lowe led the Storm, shooting 90 and was followed by Desiree Ramos (92), Baylee Vyenielo (95) and Ruthie Bowen (104) in the event that was played at Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon.
Lowe and Ramos were each named to the All-Big 8 Conference team.
Napa Valley College Postpones Intercollegiate Competition and Practices Indefinitely
March 13, 2020Due to concerns over COVID-19, the California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) Board of Directors voted to postpone indefinitely, practices outside of regularly scheduled classes, and competition for all spring sports and those sports in their nontraditional seasons. The CCCAA Board understands the impact this will have on our student-athletes. The CCCAA will be working to minimize those impacts when it comes to student-athlete CCCAA eligibility, as well as at the four-year college level. For more information and updates, visit the CCCAA website.
