NVC men's golf team places seventh at 3C2A state tournament in La Quinta
Photo: The Napa Valley College men's golf team, shown in La Quinta, from left, Dominic Taverrite, Charlie Larson, Josh Hull, Peyton Alexander, Will Hutton, Ian Hall, Lawrence Collins.
Courtesy photo
By MARTY JAMES
The California Community College Athletic Association State Championships presented all kinds of challenges for the Napa Valley College men's golf team.
To begin with, there was the Arnold Palmer Classic Course, at SilverRock Resort, in La Quinta. It's a challenging par-72, 7,239-yard layout. According to its website, www.silverrock.org, it has "massive native bunkers and stunning water features."
There was the weather factor, with extreme temperatures soaring into the triple digits – as high as 105 for the first round on Sunday, May 10, and then climbing to 111 for the final round on Monday, May 11.
There was also the long road trip – 525 miles from Napa to La Quinta.
"All I ask is their best effort," said coach Bob Freschi. "They gave their best effort. They had a good time. They'll look back on this as a memory of a lifetime."
Napa Valley, which won its third straight Big 8 Conference North Division championship, did not back down from any of the challenges.
The Storm, one of nine teams in the field, finished in seventh place at the 3C2A state tournament, posting rounds of 309 and 309 for a 618-team score.
The 3C2A state tournament was a two-day, 36-hole event. There was a field of 68 players.
"They were a little disappointed that we didn't finish higher or played better. But that's the competitiveness in them. They're all competitors," said Freschi.
Leading Napa Valley, one of four teams in the field from Northern California, was Will Hutton. He tied for 16th place, posting rounds of 76 and 74 for a 150 total.
Tying for 20th place was Lawrence Collins, who carded rounds of 80 and 71 for a 151 total.
Tying for 40th place was Ian Hall, who had rounds of 79 and 78 for a 157 total.
Peyton Alexander tied for 45th place, posting rounds of 74 and 86 for a 160 total.
Dominic Taverrite finished in 61st place, carding rounds of 85 and 86 for a 171 total.
Josh Hull (82) played in Sunday's first round.
Charlie Larson (86) played in Monday's second round.
"Anytime you take the team and play for a state championship is priceless," said Freschi. "The players will remember this. That's what it's all about – the good times we had, the struggles we had as well, the adversity we went through. That will make them a better golfer in the future and a better person down the road."
It was a very good season for Napa Valley, an all-freshman team and the winner of six tournaments. Hutton, Collins and Hall earned All-Big 8 Conference honors for the Storm.
Napa Valley qualified for the state tournament with its second-place finish at the 3C2A-North Regional Championships at Bayonet Golf Course, May 3-4, in Seaside (Monterey County). The Storm was awarded the second-place team trophy and players were presented with individual silver medals at the NorCal tournament.
Hutton was named to the All-NorCal team.
"We gave our best effort. (Collins) and (Hutton) were great today. It was great to see Lawrence 1-under today," said Freschi. "What a great, fun season. I'm proud of the boys. Just a super season for them."
College of the Canyons-Santa Clarita won the state team title, posting rounds of 294 and 287 for a 581 total.
College of the Desert-Palm Desert finished second, 288-296 – 584.
Reedley College was third, 299-291 – 590.
In fourth place was Victor Valley College-Victorville, 293-312 – 605.
Placing fifth was Sierra College-Rocklin, 297-310 – 607.
In sixth place was Ventura College, 309-303 – 612.
Following Napa Valley, it was Orange Coast College-Costa Mesa in eighth place, 309-312 – 621, and San Joaquin Delta College-Stockton in ninth place, 305-317 – 622.
The Storm played a practice round at SilverRock on Saturday.
"We had a good game plan coming into the championship on Sunday," said Freschi. "We were excited. They had some nerves on the first tee and it showed the first few holes on Sunday. But then we settled down and started playing. We played better golf on the back nine (Sunday) and it carried over for (Monday).
"There were just some tricky holes that got us. We competed, did our best. It's one of those courses where it's kind of target golf. You've got to know where to miss. If not, you're in the desert and you're pitching out of there. On some of the longer par-4's, it was tough to hold the green. The greens are so firm. There's some tricky holes. The greens were rolling firm as the day went on.
"So, you have to be spot-on with all aspects of your game. (Collins) and (Hutton) were really spot-on today. It was fun to watch."
Players were allowed to use golf carts both days on account of the extreme heat.
"This was warmer than usual for this time of the year," said Freschi. "This was a little extreme. But it was a great tournament at a really beautiful place.
"What we did was try to stay hydrated, starting the day before, and just really maintain our fluid intake and try to get some electrolytes in us. The carts helped out."
Anthony Nilson of Canyons won the individual title. Nilson shot 69-69 – 6-under-par 138.
Sinjin Armstrong of Desert was second, 70-70 – 4-under-par 140.
Julian Rombouts of Reedley was third, 69-73 – 2-under-par 142.
Named to the 3C2A All-State team was Anthony Nilson, Canyons; Sinjin Armstrong, Desert; Julian Rombouts, Reedley; Brady McColm, Victor Valley; Braxton McDonald, Desert; Arnaud Bouhaniche, Canyons.
It was the third straight 3C2A state title for Canyons. It was also the 13th 3C2A state title for Canyons.
* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.