By MARTY JAMES
martyjames.sports@gmail.com
AMERICAN CANYON – It was one of the best days of the season for the Napa Valley College women's golf team.
Arriving early as the host team for Thursday's Big 8 Conference North Division tournament, the Storm went first to the practice green at Chardonnay Golf Club & Vineyards for team photos and individual photos.
They then went about their business in a very impressive way, shooting a 344-team score and taking third place in a five-team field.
There was outstanding scoring, led by freshman Libby Webb with a career-low 7-over-par 79. Webb had two birdies on her card and saved par on the 18th hole by getting up and down from off the green.
"The girls played lights out. They were just on fire and on point with what we worked on (Wednesday)," said coach Bob Freschi. "They're learning. They're still getting acclimated to our conference, our system and our philosophy. Like I always say, practice is my time, and matches, you guys do your thing. But at practices, we're going to work on things that we need to get better at, and sometimes it's going to be some harsh criticism in there, but don't take it personal. Just understand why we're doing certain things and what has to be avoided so you play better golf, so you improve your scoring. That's the bottom line.
"And so, a couple light bulbs went on (Thursday). We talk about the small victories inside the round of golf. We talk about those small victories, of getting up and down, a great tee shot, and what our approach was. It started (Wednesday). They were really eager to play our home match and excited.
"We had just a great practice session (Wednesday), and it carried over to today. I'm just proud of the ladies of executing our game plan, and being able to break 350s is pretty impressive."
Impressive, indeed.
It was a major turnaround from the Storm's nonconference dual match on Tuesday, a 350-366 loss to Sacramento City College.
This was the third tournament of the Big 8 Conference North Division season, and Napa Valley was on its game. Earlier in the season, the Storm shot a 400-team score and finished third on Sept. 10, at the Ridge Golf Course, in Auburn, and they posted a 373-team score at Elkhorn Golf Club in Stockton on Sept. 5.
Napa Valley held its own at Chardonnay, a par-72, 5,219-yard layout from the Bottle tees. It was an ideal day – sunny and beautiful with temperatures in the high 70s and light breezes.
Jill Obelleiro, the Storm's No. 1 player, shot an 84, and Ping Yang had an 88.
Also, playing for the Storm was Hazel Zastrow, who had a 93, and Hanna Ruggles with a 96.
"I thought all our ladies played extremely well. What a great team score. We had a good time today," said Freschi.
The tournament was won by Modesto Junior College with a 318-team score.
In second place was Sacramento City with a 342-team score.
Following Napa Valley was San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton at 378 and Sierra College-Rocklin at 413.
Webb had a great day, hitting mid-irons accurately on her approaches and on to the green.
"It's the best I've ever shot," Webb said, just after her round. "Something that I was really able to straighten out were my iron shots. I had a lot more (greens in regulation). I wasn't doing that well off the tee, but being able to make up for it helped a lot. And my short game was pretty on point.
"I was feeling nice and loose, and I felt like I could just swing naturally."
Webb got to a good start, as she birdied the par-4, 318-yard first hole, hitting driver, 5-iron from 150 yards, and one-putting from 15 feet. She also birdied the par-3, 125-yard 16th hole, hitting 8-iron and making the putt from eight feet.
It was a huge improvement for Webb, who posted a 95 on Tuesday.
"I think it also had a lot to do with my mindset," said Webb.
She two-putted to save par on the par-4, 329-yard 17th hole after hitting a super approach shot on to the green.
"I was nailing the irons pretty well," she said.
Webb, who is from Tahoe City, has been working on her game and looking for a turnaround.
"I've not been playing my best and really just trying to get out of that, because it's not a great feeling," she said. "And then being able to turn it around felt great today.
"It's really been a lot about relaxing my arms, not being so tense over the ball. That helped a lot today."
Webb also putted very well, as she had several key par-saving putts.
"It definitely helps get me back in the excitement and to want to keep playing good golf," she said.
It was a career day for Webb, who is from North Tahoe High School-Tahoe City.
Webb placed in Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Class 2A State Girls Golf Championships the last two years for North Tahoe High.
She won the individual title last year at Toiyabe Golf Club, in New Washoe City, Nev. She finished fifth in 2022 at Ruby View Golf Course in Elko, Nev.
"I applaud Libby for working hard and getting it done and doing it," said Freschi. "She's a competitor. She is a positive spirit and just a wonderful young lady that has a passion for the game of golf and is eager to learn and want to get better."
Webb hit her irons very well in the tournament.
"We talk about, stay with what you're doing, what is working for you. Don't try to change things. Play with what you have on that day," said Freschi. "Her iron shots were just beautiful.
"It's great what she has done the last few days. And to be able to get it done in a conference match is special. Extremely proud of her."
Yang parred each of the par-3 holes on the back nine, as she two-putted those holes to save par.
"I was very nervous about it on Tuesday, because we just started our tournament season," said Yang. "When I reflect on it, I decided I'm going to have fun, just relax, just do the best I can. I told myself, I know the game. I know how to play. Just relax. So (Thursday), I think I did that, and then the number actually improved. I can do better, but I'm pleased with my results.
"I have more confidence in terms of my shots and also for my routine. Each shot, I tell myself, just believe in yourself."
Obelleiro left right after her round, as he was the maid of honor at her sister, Maddie Critelli's wedding Thursday in Dixon.
"I want to be there for my team. It was good for my commitment in golf, and my commitment to my family," she said.
"There's a lot of shots that I could have been better at."
She birdied the par-5, 356-yard 18th hole, hitting a 6-iron on her second shot from 145 yards. She got up and down for birdie.
There is so much that the freshman players are learning about the game and NVC's program, said Obelleiro.
"They're here to play and they're ready, getting those scores in and being there as one team and getting that team score in," she said.
Modesto was led by Lucy Allbaugh with a 4-over-par 76.
Madi Paulsen had a 6-over-par 78 for Sacramento City.
Alyssa Quilao had a 7-over-par 79 for San Joaquin Delta.
Napa Valley travels to the Bing Maloney Golf Complex in Sacramento on Tuesday, Sept. 24 for the Big 8 Conference's fourth tournament of the season. It begins 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.