TEMECULA — There are different ways to post low scores in golf. One is the steady and unspectacular route where a player is efficient, hitting fairways and greens, making pars along with the occasional birdie. Another is the route where a player makes a number of bogeys but makes enough birdies to offset them. On Monday at the R. Murphy Invitational hosted by Great Oak High School at Temecula Creek Inn both methods proved successful for the individual winners.
Jayne Sung was the steady senior for Orange Lutheran who made two birdies in a three-hole span on her second nine (Temecula Creek Inn’s Stonehouse side) en route to shooting a one under par round of 71. She nearly had a trifecta of birdies except for a lip out on their 13th hole of the day (Stonehouse’s 330-yard par four fourth hole) and earned tournament medalist honors.
Meanwhile, Sylar Earle, a Great Oak freshman who has impressed early on in her time with the Wolfpack, had a little bit of everything in Monday’s round with nine bogeys and four birdies including a pair of two birdie in three-hole stretches (one on each nine) on the Creek/Stonehouse composite layout. Her round of 77 (+5) was good enough to earn Rookie/Freshman of the Tournament honors.
The duo actually birdied the same holes on the Stonehouse nine (three and five) which are two of the more difficult holes on that side due to their elevation changes and how windy it got late in the day as darkness set in. More impressive were their birdies at the uphill par three fifth which also played into the wind because they came after a three-group backup as they each made a lengthy downhill birdie putt.
In the team competition Peninsula’s consistency was impressive as they shot a 400 (+40) to win by 13 shots over Orange Lutheran. They tossed out an 84 in the six play and five count format. Tara Timm shot a three over par round of 75 to lead the way. Also posting counting scores for Peninsula were Sophia Lu with a 79 while Rena Fung along with the Park sisters (Chloe and Emily) each posted rounds of 82. Leading the locals on the team side was Great Oak 1 with a team score of 434 (+74) as Jessica Li (78) and Brooke Carpenter (83) also posted scores of 85 or better for the Wolfpack.
Diamond Bar was second in the team standings with a 413 (+53) while Orange Lutheran took home third with a 419 (+59).
Other locals scores to note include:
Madelyn Sammon – Murrieta Valley: +7 (79)
Kimi Arabe – Temecula Valley: +10 (82)
Riley Rainosek – Murrieta Valley: +13 (85)
Breanna Noble – Vista Murrieta: +13 (85)
Taylor Mrosek – Temescal Canyon: +13 (85)
Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.
