TUSTIN – Brea Olinda had the medalist, but No. 8 Foothill left Tustin Ranch Golf Club with its eighth consecutive victory to remain among the favorites to win the inaugural Crestview League girls golf title.
Three of the six Knights who teed off on Monday broke 40 as Foothill posted its fifth consecutive sub-200 round in the 199-232 triumph against the Wildcats.
“I feel real good about where we are at. I feel you have to stay under 200 all of the time, and the girls get it,” first-year Foothill coach Pete Gomez said. “They are starting to score well. They are starting to understand how to score.”
Despite opening with two bogeys on the front nine, Madie Chou rallied to post an even-par 36 while Katie Stribling and Emily Sumner added a 37 and 39, respectively for the Knights.
Brea Olinda senior Amy Lee, who helped lead the United States to a victory in the Junior Ryder Cup last month, had the low-round of the day, firing a 3-under-par 33 even though she said she missed four tap-in birdie putts.
“They were like this close said,” Lee said barely letting any daylight show between her thumb and finger.
In two weeks, the league championship will likely be decided when the Knights play host to Yorba Linda at Tustin Ranch.
The Mustangs are the only team to beat Foothill this season, dealing the Knights a 208-209 loss in the season opener at Black Gold Golf Course.
Sumner was not playing for the Knights in that match, and she’s the one “that has shored us up,” Gomez said.
“We are a completely different team (than the one that lost to Yorba Linda),” Gomez said. Gomez had to keep a 53 and 49 that day at Black Gold. On Monday, the highest score that figured in the result with the Wildcats was a 46.
“I am confident. I can’t wait to play Yorba Linda again,” Gomez said.
