Bernabe captures her third Century League title

She showed up at El Prado Golf Course on Tuesday, feeling no pressure at all, aiming to shoot just a decent score, not one that made history in the Century League tournament as she did the day before.

When Tuesday final round began at El Prado Golf Course, Elisabeth Bernabe held an 8-shot lead over the field after posting a record 10-under-par 62 on the first day of the 36-hole league finals.

“That was a pretty big gap,” the Canyon senior said. “That is a lot of strokes for someone to make up.”

But the Yale-bound Bernabe didn’t just cruise to the finish. She posted one of the lowest rounds of the day, carding a 1-over-par 73 to become the only player in the field to finish under par in winning the Century League finals for the third time in her four-year varsity career.

Bernabe finished with a 9-under-par 135, which put her nine shots clear of her teammate Jessica Vasilic, who finished second after winning a three-hole sudden death playoff with Foothill freshman, Maddie Chou.

“I wanted to win it this year because it’s senior year. Completion,” she said. “I wanted that feeling. I can move on with my life now.”

Brea Olinda sophomore Amy Lee, who’s the only player in the last four seasons other than Bernabe to win the league finals, also posted 1-over-par 73 to finish fourth with a 1-over-par 145. She won the tournament last year after opening with a 64, which was the tournament record until Bernabe posted the 62.

The top eight players advanced to the CIF-SS Southern Individual Regional which will be played at Recreation Park in Long Beach on Oct. 24.

Cindy Dang (Foothill), Tiffany Park (Brea Olinda), Claire Arakaki (Canyon) and Michelle Thompson (Foothill) also qualified for the CIF tournament.

Vasilic and Chou both came in with a 74 on Tuesday to post an even-par 144. Both players parred their first two playoff holes, but Vasilic won the playoff with a par on the par-4 No. 10, which was drivable for Vasilic in the first round.

For the final round, the players had to use the white tees, which added 744 yards to the course, forcing Vasilic to layup instead of going for the green. Both Chou and Vasilic ended up in the fairway. Chou’s approach landed just short of the green while Vasilic’s left her with a 25-foot birdie putt.  Vasilic holed a two-putt par while Chou’s 3-foot putt to extend the playoff lipped out.

“I could have chose a card-off (to decide the tie for second). But anytime you have the option of doing a playoff, it is more fun that way. More official,” Vasilic said. “Today, I just wanted to play well enough to be part of the eight that move on. I am looking forward to state, and I am sure Liz is too, and this is just a step on the way there.”

In the other league finals

Dana Hills senior Avery French shot an even-par 73 in the final round of South Coast League to finish with a 2-under-par 144 and win the tournament for the third time in a row. … Mater Dei’s Marcella Pranovia carded a final-round 68 at Talega Golf Club to win the Trinity League tournament with a 2-under-par 142. … Joo Seo (Aliso Niguel) finished with a 1-under-par 145 at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course to win the Sea View League finals by three shots. ... Natalie Mattison (Calvary Chapel) won the Orange Coast League title with a 10-over-par 82 on the Mesa Linda Course at Costa Mesa Country Club.