By Bruce Meadows
SSU looks back . . . and ahead
Sonoma State has just completed another successful golf season under the guidance of head men’s and women’s coach Val Verhunce.
Not as successful as Val and his players would have hoped for, but another solid effort by the Seawolves.
“It’s been a long few (postseason) weeks and our seasons didn’t end as we had we hoped it would,” says Val. “Our men finished 18th at NCAA Nationals back in Daniels West Virginia at the Glade Springs Golf Resort at the Cobb Golf Course.”
Devin Gregg carded a team-best 75 in the last of three rounds, and his efforts helped the Seawolves remain in 18th place to finish 18th out of 20 teams in the 2019 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships.
It was Sonoma State’s first appearance at the NCAA Championships since 2015 when the Seawolves placed 15th.
Gregg was the top Seawolf golfer in the nationals, placing in a tie for 28th with a total score of 218 (+2). Sonoma State recorded a team score of 911 (+47), 37 strokes short of qualifying for the medal-match play featuring the Top 8 teams after three rounds of stroke play.
Complementing Gregg’s effort, Spencer Clapp tied for 52nd at 222 (+6), followed by Dexter Simonds placing 96th with a score of 235 (+19), Blake Bourelle at 236 (+20) finished tied for 97th and Ian Hoffman scored a 260 (+44) to place 108th.
CCAA opponents Cal State Monterey Bay 873 (+10) and UC San Diego 888 (+24) finished ahead of the Seawolves. CSMB qualified for the medal-match after completing three rounds of stroke play in seventh place.
The men posted a 862 (-2) score and placed fourth out of 20 teams at the NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional at the Ledges Golf Club in Saint George, Utah to qualify for the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf National Championships.
Clapp and Bourelle led the charge for Sonoma State, both placing 16th out of 108 participants in this week’s 54-hole event with a 214 (-2).
Gregg tied for 38th at 73-74-71-218 (+2) shaving three strokes in his final round, Hofmann finished tied for 59th with a 222 (+6), and Simonds shaved 13 strokes off his opening round to place tied for 85th, 83-74-70-227 (+11).
The women’s season ended at the NCAA West Regional Championship at Amarillo (Texas) CC where the team finished 8th.
Megan DaLeo was the top Seawolf finisher, tied for 11thplace with a score of 235 (+9) with a season low 68 in round 3 (79-75-68).
With her 235 (+9) finish DaLeo qualified for the NCAA Nationals at the PGA National Championship.
Cristina Picariello scored a 74 in her final round, which tied her for 21stindividually with a tournament score of 75-79-74—228 (+15).
Unfortunately, Megan didn’t play up to her ability, explained Verhunce, but she was named WGCA Honorable Mention All-American.
“Next year looks promising as we have four junior college transfers and six freshmen, as well as our returning players,” notes Val.
DeLeo, a freshman, earned WGCA Honorable Mention All-American honors after finishing her freshman campaign ranked 25th in the nation, marking the highest ranked freshman throughout all of NCAA Division II.
She earned her way to the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships final site as an individual. She finished her freshman season with a 62nd place finish at Nationals, 80-79-88—247 (+28).
DaLeo is only the second Seawolf to ever qualify as an individual for the Division II NCAA Championship. She joins the ranks of alum Spencer Heller who qualified for Nationals as an individual three times, finishing in the top-10 twice
Ace$ at Chardonnay . . .
Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa launched its new Swing King Hole-in-One program Saturday, June 1.
Chardonnay is offering every qualified golfer who plays at the club the chance to win $1,000 if they make an ace on the third hole.
There is no additional cost to take part other than to book a tee time . . . you automatically qualify by paying Chardonnay GC a qualifying 18-hole green fee.
You can sweeten the deal and increase your prize opportunity from $1,000 to $10,000 by paying an additional $5 fee at the pro shop.
The third hole, a par-3, plays from 184, 175, 161 and 136 depending on the tee.
There are non-qualifying rounds such as tournaments, complimentary rounds, etc. so check with the golf shop.
For more details, call 707-257-1900 or go to chardonnaygolfclub.com
Windsor Summer Camps . . .
Windsor GC is offering Summer Junior Camps in June, July and August. Dates are June 11-13; July 16-18, and Aug. 6-8. Camp times are all 9-11:30 a.m. Classes are for ages 6-12.
All aspects of the game will be taught, including rules, etiquette and course management. Cost is $100 per student, and includes range balls and all equipment. Call Demian at 838-7888.
At Rooster Run . . .
Rooster Run PGA pro Dave Johnson has announced his summer junior golf camp schedule. His camps are in their 15th year.
Half- and full-day camps are being offered June 10-14, June 24-28, July 15-18 and Aug. 5-9.
Cost is $295 for half-day 9-noon) camps, which include nine holes of golf; full-day camps (9-4) are $425 and also include nine holes of golf.
For more information or to sign up, call 707-484-0467 or go to davejohnsongolf72@yahoo.com
Oakmont summer camps . . .
Summer camp registration is still open at Oakmont GC. Camp #1 is June 10-14; Camp #2 July 8-12, Camp #3 July 29-Aug. 2.
Half-day (9-noon) sessions are co-educational, ages 7-13. Full-day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) for ages 7-17. All abilities welcome; small-group instruction followed by daily instruction on course; cost includes mid-morning snack and lunch. Participants should make sure to have both health insurance info and phone numbers available when registering. For details, contact Rebecka Heimert, at rebeckaheinmert@mac.com
Let’s hear from you . . .
Thanks for your comments, questions and suggestions. I love to get them and would really like to get more. If you have information about anything golf-related, including upcoming activities or tournaments or sales, please let me know. And if you have questions, complaints or compliments about golf in our area, I’d love to hear them.
If you have a golfer you know who you think would be an interesting story. Tell me about it. Having trouble with your game? Let me know what it is and I’ll try to get a sensible answer for you from a local pro.
And we would be proud to include you as one of our sponsors – thanks to Bill Carson at Wine Country Golf for his continued support – so if you care to get some details about being a sponsor of GOLF 707, email me at bmeadows4sports@aol.com