Two local teams are headed to next week’s CIF Girls Golf State Championship.
Rancho Bernardo High School and Torrey Pines finished second and third, respectively, on Thursday at the SoCal Regional Championship at Los Serranos Golf Club’s North Course in Chino Hills.
Rancho Bernardo placed second at 6-under par. Torrey Pines finished third at 2-under, four strokes ahead of Orange Lutheran for the final state playoff spot. Santa Margarita won the team championship at 9-under.
Out of 10 teams, the top three advance to Wednesday’s state championship at Poppy Hills Golf Club in Pebble Beach.
The format features six golfers on each team, with the top five golfers with the lowest totals scoring.
Rancho Bernardo was led by Lillion Phee and Kayla Geng, who both shot 3-under. The Broncos’ other three scoring golfers were Amanda Peng (-2), Sophia Roxas (+1) and Madelyn Reyes (+1).
RB’s finish was particularly special for Geng, a senior. It’s the fourth time her team qualified for the regionals, but the first time in those four years the Broncos earned the right to play for a state title.
“Amazing, oh my gosh. We are so hyped right now,” said Geng by phone. “We’re literally on cloud nine. We came together and gave each other the biggest hugs. It means so much to us.”
Coach Robert Park said the Broncos “did exactly what they needed to do, and they were calm, cool and collected.”
Torrey Pines was led by Alice Koontz at 4-under. The Falcons’ other four scoring golfers were Kate Hu (-1), Sydney Kroc (even), Tyara Jacot (even) and Zoe Jiamanukoonkit (+3).
Torrey Pines is the defending state champion.
“Our goal was to be able to get to the next step. That was our number one priority, to be able to get to State,” said Torrey Pines coach Chris Drake. “It would have been nice to do better, but the big trophy’s the one we get excited to compete for.
“RB had a career day. I’m so happy for those girls. They compete so hard.”
Asterisk Talley of Chowchilla High School was the lowest medalist at 9-under 65. Talley’s round featured five birdies and eagles on back-to-back holes, No. 12, a par-4, and 13, a par-5. The Los Serranos North Course features six par-5s.