Golf Opens Season Wednesday at Cameron Park CC vs. Ponderosa

News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis golf team opens the 2013 season Wednesday with the first of five Delta River League matches when they tee up against Ponderosa at the Cameron Park Country Club Wednesday at 3 p.m.

“It is going to be a great tune-up for the season,” said Head Coach Cindy Mah-Lyford. “It will give some of the girls that have not played in a match a chance to get some experience. It will help build their experience and that will be beneficial as we approach the postseason.”

The Troubadours are coming off a sixth-place finish at the state championships last season. Seniors Emily Laskin, Victoria Vardanega, Ileana MacDonald all played at State and return for their final season looking to make a return trip in 2013.

“Emily has the most playing experience of all the girls on the team,” said Mah-Lyford. “She plays in some very big international events and I think the team looks up to her as their go-to person. She is a solid player and is a player who we can count on.”

Laskin played in both the U.S. Girls’ Junior at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Ind., and on the Northern California team in the Girls Junior America’s Cup held July 30-August 1 at University of New Mexico golf course in Albuquerque.

Classmates MacDonald and Vardanega add to the senior experience for a team that lost three players from the state-qualifying lineup.

“Ileana is extremely talented and I am floored by her talent,” said Mah-Lyford.

Vardenaga returns for her fourth season on the team. After not qualifying for many lineups early in her career, she has become a consistent qualifier and performer for the Troubies.

“Victoria is a hard worker and a no nonsense style,” said Mah-Lyford. “She gives hope to all the players that are not in the lineup.”

They will be joined in the opening lineup against Ponderosa by a trio of sophomores: Kate Swanson, Kristi Lee and Mika Fang.

The Troubadour roster also includes juniors Gaby Enos and Victoria Ramirez and sophomores Caitlyn Autry, Katiana Camacho-Villalon and Leslie Young. Taylor Boe was the lone freshman to make the roster.

“Cameron Park is a tight and tricky golf course,” said Mah-Lyford. “It is going to favor the player that will be able to keep the ball in play.”

Each team will play six players with the low five scores counting in the team scoring.

Following the match against Ponderosa, the Troubies will play back-to-back Delta River League tournaments featuring all six teams. The first DLR is scheduled for Sept. 10 at Morgan Creek GC.