By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com

Napa Valley College posted a 400-team score in the first round on Monday at The Old Course and is tied for third place at the California Community College Athletic Association-Northern California Regional at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links.

Nick DeBellis led the Storm, winner of its second straight Big 8 Conference North Division men's golf championship, with a 3-over-par 75. Lawrence Pepito was next for the Storm, shooting a 5-over-par 77.

"They (DeBellis and Pepito) played really well. Hopefully they continue that, and then the other guys shoot better than they did today," Napa Valley head coach Bob Freschi said

Ben Wilhite and Tyler Momono each posted 9-over-par 81's for the Storm.

Next was Max Taylor with an 86.

Stephen Nefsky had an 89.

"We talked as a team that the championship is not 18 holes. It's 36 holes, and we've just got to play better (Tuesday). That's all there is to it," said Freschi. "We didn't do our best. We all know it. Let's just go out there and play better (Tuesday) and we'll see what happens."

The second and final round is on Tuesday, May 6, starting at 12 p.m., with tee times.

The Old Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, is a par-72, 6,879-yard layout. Play is from the Black tee markers, except for holes 1, 3, 7, 13, 15 and 17, which will use the Blue tee markers, the CCCAA announced, at www.cccaasports.org. It was windy at times, with gusts, in the first round.

"A lot of our guys were long with our approach shots. Because, on the back side of the green, those were tough up and downs," said Freschi. "We've just got to play better when the pin is in in the back. And then also, when the pin was in front, we missed short. There are a couple bunkers that were tough.

"We've just got to play a little smarter and pull the right club."

Reedley College, which won the Big 8 South title, leads after the first round, posting a 381-team score. Tommy Evans led Reedley, shooting an even-par 72. Eliot Vidal (75), Johan Bjorken (78), Brady Foster (78) and Coaton Campbell (78) also play for Reedley.

In second place is Fresno City College, which shot a 399-team score. Ryan Grossman led Fresno City with a 2-over-par 74.

Napa Valley and Modesto Junior College are tied for third place, each with 400-team scores.

Sierra College-Rocklin is next with a 402-team score. Kyler Ostrom led Sierra with a 1-over-par 73.

San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton shot a 408-team score.

San Jose City College posted a 444-team score.

Taft College shot a 460-team score.

"We're right there in the mix. And that's what we wanted, to give ourselves a chance to get a trophy out of the NorCal," said Freschi. "So, we still have a great opportunity (Tuesday). It's good to hear the guys talk at dinner and see what's going through their mind. I think we'll be ready to go (Tuesday)."

The field consists of eight teams – four from the Big 8 Conference North Division and four from the Big 8 Conference South Division – with tournament play over two days and 36 holes.

The top-4 teams and six individuals not from those teams advance to the CCCAA State Championships, May 11-12, at Bayonet Black Horse, in Seaside (Monterey County).

"We've just got to club down on our approach shots. We missed way too long," said Freschi. "We have to club down and just be smarter with our approach shots. And then around the greens, we have to put ourselves in a better position for a one putt."

Freschi said the last four holes on the course, Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18, are a very tough stretch.

He told his team: "Be decisive and commit to it. Be decisive with your club and commit to it."

Napa Valley, Sierra, Modesto and San Joaquin Delta are in the Big 8 North Division.

Reedley, Fresno City, San Jose City and Taft are from the Big 8 South Division.

Napa Valley won its second straight Big 8 Conference North Division championship, clinching the title at the Ridge Golf Course, in Auburn, in April.

Napa Valley has a very good record, having won six tournaments, during the spring season.

College of the Canyons-Santa Clarita won the CCCAA-Southern California Regional, shooting 357-362 – 719, at Los Serranos Country Club's South Course, in Chino Hills, on May 5.

Hugo de Mollerat of Santa Barbara City College was low individual medalist, shooting 68-69 – 137.

* 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.