Napa Valley College women's golf finishes in third place in Big 8 Conference

Photos by Marty James

By MARTY JAMES

martyjames.sports@gmail.com

The Napa Valley College women's golf team played in the final Big 8 Conference match of the fall season on Monday, Nov. 3.

The Storm's third-place finish was keyed by Libby Webb's outstanding round.

Webb had two eagles and a birdie on her back nine as she posted a 4-over-par 77 at Pheasant Run Golf Club, in Chowchilla.

Webb had excellent length on her drives and was aggressive on her second shots, reaching two of the par-5 holes hitting a hybrid.

"It was a really warm day and the course was playing fast. She got some good roll on her hybrid," coach Bob Freschi said.

Webb made eagle putts from 4 and 8 feet, respectively.

Napa Valley posted a 345-team score.

The Big 8 Conference match was won by Reedley College with a 308-team score.

Taking second place was Modesto Junior College with a 320-team score.

Also, in the field was Sacramento City College, 364-team score; Sierra College-Rocklin, 370-team score; San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton, 388-team score; Taft College, 389-team score.

Fresno City College did not have a full team.

Webb and Kylee Scroggs were each named to the All-Big 8 Conference team for Napa Valley.

Napa Valley finished in third place in the Big 8 Conference.

"They really exceeded my expectations," said Freschi. "It was a great conference run that we had."

Also, playing in the match for the Storm was Scroggs, with an 85; Hanna Ruggles, with an 89; Loret Osorio, with a 94; Hazel Zastrow, with a 96; and Rylie Olmo, with a 104.

"Hanna played well. Hazel played better," said Freschi. "Loret's score counted and was posted for us. She was really excited about that."

Tessa Hernandez of Reedley was the low individual medalist with a 1-under-par 72.

The California Community College Athletic Association-Northern California Regional Championships are at Madera Golf and Country Club, Nov. 9 and 10. The top-4 teams and six individuals who are not on those teams advance to the 3C2A State Championships, Nov. 16 and 17, at the River Course at Alisal, in Solvang (Santa Barbara County).

"Our goal is to compete for a NorCal championship, earn the right for a place in the state championship, and compete for a state championship," said Freschi. "We need four out of the six to play really well at NorCals. We have the ability to play well. We need to come in with a good number and play good, smart golf."

NVC played at Madera Golf and Country Club in September, finishing in third place in a Big 8 Conference tournament, posting a 343-team score.

"You have to be strategically sound," said Freschi.

NVC will play a practice round at Madera Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

* 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.