Host Vaqs place third

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Any kind of progress made by the members of the Glendale Community College women's golf team will likely be sufficient.

Two weeks ago, the Vaqueros didn't have a full compliment of players to field a lineup. Things have since turned a bit in the Vaqueros' favor.

Glendale might have turned in its best effort of the season on Monday, as it received a seven-over-par from Tammy Panich and placed third in a five-team Western State Conference match at scenic Oakmont Country Club.

"I'm ecstatic with our scores," said Glendale first-year Coach Greg Osbourne, whose team finished with a 343 and finished two shots in back of second-place Bakersfield. "How can you not give them the credit they deserve?

"We came close to taking second and beat an established Santa Barbara team that won state a couple of years ago. A lot of hard work went into their scores."

Traditional powerhouse College of the Canyons won the event with a 327. Tiara Wells of Canyons carded a 76 to secure medalist honors and was the lone athlete from the 26-played field to shoot below 80. Santa Barbara finished fourth with a 351 and Citrus took fifth (580).

Panich, who graduated from Glendale High in 2009 and spent last season at CSUN before transferring to Glendale college, finished with one birdie, 11 pars, four bogeys and a pair of double-bogeys to finish tied for second with Hannah Lee of Canyons.

"I didn't have a good round," said Panich, a former All-Area girls' golfer who underwent an appendectomy in August and was recovering from a right-leg strain she suffered Sunday. "I usually hit the balls in the fairways, but my leg hurt and I had to shift my weight to hit the ball.

"I was using my arms to hit the ball. My putting was good and the greens were nice and fast. My putting saved me a bunch of shots."

Glendale began the season with three golfers. They included Panich, who recorded a birdie on the fifth hole, Diana Hernandez and Imelda Treto. They have since added Louise Wright, giving the Vaqueros a full team that can score in a match.

On Monday, Wright shot an 85, followed by Hernandez (88) and Treto (90).

"Tammy is trying to get better [from a health standpoint]," said Osbourne, who also serves as the college's men's coach. "I thought she might be able to separate herself [Monday], but she just had that appendectomy.

"Right now, we want to keep our skills going and lowering our scores."

Glendale college will next take part in another conference match Monday at the River Course at the Alisal in Solvang.