LONG BEACH – The University girls golf team had high expectations this season. But after losing to Pacific Coast League rivals Beckman and Corona del Mar, the Trojans confidence was shaken.
“And if golf is one thing, it’s a game of confidence,” University coach Kevin Kasper said. “We needed to have a good result, and this convinced us that we can beat anybody.”
Backed by a 6-under-par 68 from Ellen Takada and an even-par 74 from Samantha Cabunag, University posted a 300 at Recreation Park Golf Course on Monday to edge Palm Desert by four strokes and win the Long Beach Wilson Bruins Invitational.
Troy finished third with 316 while Mater Dei (321) and Santa Margarita (326) rounded out top five of the tournament, which counted the lowest four scores from each team.
Takada finished with one eagle and six birdies to become the only player in the tournament to break 70 and win medalist honors by three strokes.
“It feels very good to win. I won as an individual, but we won as a team too,” said the University of Washington-bound Takada, who took her junior year off from the team to concentrate on her school work. “I am pretty proud (of myself), and I am pretty proud of what we were able to accomplish (as a team). Winning as a team means a lot. This is my last time to play this tournament, so I really wanted to play well. We all did really well, and I am glad.”
Takada hit 16 fairways and 15 greens in regulation and needed 28 putts to finish her round. She also won the closest-to-the-pin award, landing 11 inches away from the hole on No. 7.
Mater Dei freshman Khameryn Utu and Palm Desert’s Jiyoon Jang each carded a 3-under 71, but Utu was awarded second place on a card-off. Troy junior Beth Lillie finished fourth after winning a card-off with Palm Desert’s Kiki Liu. Both players posted a 72.
“Golf is such a temperamental game, and all it takes is a little bit of confidence,” Kasper said. “I think this tournament gave us that, and our confidence was down I think.”
Earlier this month, the Trojans lost to Beckman by four strokes and Corona del Mar by nine, two results that could have eliminated the Trojans from contention for the Pacific Coast League championship.
Both matches though were played on the road and each was just nine holes. Takada said playing just the front nine is “too short.”
“I sometimes hit bad shots, but I can still come back (when playing 18) and make birdies,” Takada said.
Nodoka Honda also broke 80 on Monday for the Trojans, shooting a 76 at Rec Park. She won the long-drive award, too, smashing her tee shot 270 yards down the fairway on No. 17.
“I really believe that we can go to CIF and do well,” Takada said.
RESULTS
At Recreation Park Golf Course, par 74, Long Beach
Team Results
1. University 300, 2. Palm Desert 304, 3. Troy 316, 4. Mater Dei 321, 5. Santa Margarita 326, 6. San Clemente 333, 7. Cerritos 336, 8. Villa Park 338, 9. Marina 340, 10. Long Beach Wilson 344, 11. Los Alamitos 350, 12. Huntington Beach 351, 12. Torrance 351, 14. San Juan Hills 354, 14. Newport Harbor 354, 16. Peninsula 361, 17. JSerra 366, 17. Orange Lutheran 366, 19. Palos Verdes 369, 20. Edison 375, 21. Lakewood 384, 22. Ayala 456
Individual Results
1. Ellen Takada (University) 68, 2. Khameryn Utu (Mater Dei) 71*, 3. Jiyoon Jang (Palm Desert) 71, 4. Beth Lillie (Troy) 72*, 5. Kiki Liu (Palm Desert) 72
*-decided on card-off.
