Before the new season started, Reedley College women's golf coach Scott Stark predicted big things from freshman Monica Yu of San Diego.
He was right.
Yu led the Lady Tigers to the team championship of the Desert Classic at Tahquitz Creek GC in Palm Springs by taking medalist honors with rounds of 73 and 71 for 2-under 144. Precious Saelee of Mt. SAC was second at 147.
As a team, Reedley rolled to the team championship with scores of 316-293--609, 26 shots ahead of second-place Desert. Modesto was third at 645.
Sophomore Serena DiMauro tied for third with a 78-74-152 while freshman Mya Xhao tied for fifth at 83-72-155.
Reedley returned to action on Sept. 3 with a dual match with Fresno City and Taft before hosting a Big 8 Conference tournament at the Kings River GC in Kingsburg at 2 pm Thursday.
By: Will Goldbeck
On a sunny and very warm morning in Palm Springs, with temperatures in the low 90's, the Tigers opened the 1st round of the Desert Classic, hosted by SBCC, with a very solid round of team golf. Reedley shot a team score of 316 at The Legends Course at Tahquitz Creek, leaving them 6 shots ahead of Mt. SAC and in 1st place out of the 8 teams at the tournament. The leading scorer for the Tigers was Freshman Monica Yu, who posted a great round of -1 under par 73. Monica made 4 Birdies on the day and was the best score for the opening round. Sophomore Serena DiMauro posted a 78, making 3 Birdies during her round. Freshman Alyssa Bendure fired an 82, followed by Freshman Mya Chao's 83. The 316 team total placed the Tigers in sole possession of 1st place, and in a very good position following the first 18 holes of the tournament. Round 2 saw the Tigers play the Legends Course at Tahquitz Creek on a beautiful Saturday morning, with very little wind and temperatures in the low 90's. The Tigers played great team golf, shooting a Reedley College school-record score of 293 (+5). Leading the way for Reedley was Monica Yu, who posted a very fine round of 71. Mya Chao improved by 10 shots over her Round 1 score, posting a very good round of Even par 72. Serena DiMauro fired a terrific round of 74. Alyssa Bendure and Serena Garcia both tied with rounds of 76, completing the scoring on the day for the Tigers. Reedley won the 2-day 36-hole tournament, their first-ever in the history of the program, and was 26 shots better than any of the other teams at the Desert Classic. Monica Yu was the Individual Medalist, the 2nd consecutive victory of her Freshman year. Serena DiMauro finished as the 4th best scorer for the tournament and was selected to the Top 6 All Desert Classic Tournament Team!! It was a terrific tournament for the Tiger golfers! Next up is a Dual Match against Taft College at Buena Vista Golf Course on Tuesday. Tee times are scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon in Kern County.