TEMECULA – When last time the Great Oak and Vista Murrieta girls’ golf teams met it was the Wolfpack coming away with a 202-243 win over a Broncos side playing without back-to-back individual champion and CIF-State finalist Lauren Sammon.

Tuesday’s rematch, just 15 days before Sammon attempts to join the group of three-time league champions, marked the Wisconsin senior commit’s debut in 2023 after missing time due to an injury.

Back-to-back Southwestern League individual champion and CIF-State finalist Lauren Sammon of Vista Murrieta shot a 38 in her 2023 debut against Great Oak in a 207-219 defeat. Valley News/Andrez Imaging

As expected, her return narrowed things after a two over par round of 38 which included three bogeys and a lone birdie, but not enough as Great Oak prevailed 207-219 to take a two-match lead with three remaining. They can clinch the title and automatic CIF-SS Division Three championship bid on Thursday, Oct. 4 against Chaparral.

Jessica Li of Great Oak shot a one-under-par round of 35 to earn medalist honors on the Creek layout at Temecula Creek Inn which included two birdies in the final three holes at holes seven and nine. Also in the first group, Wolfpack freshman Skylar Earle shot a one over par round of 37 with two bogeys and a lone birdie at the par five fourth hole.

Great Oak’s Jessica Li led the Wolfpack with a one under par round of 35 on the Creek nine at Temecula Creek Inn Tuesday, Oct. 3, in a 207-219 win over Vista Murrieta. Valley News/Time Stood Still Photography

Vista Murrieta’s Breanna Noble posted an even par round of 36, which included back-to-back birdies at six and seven, to round out the first group.

Wolfpack veterans Brooke Carpenter and Gwyneth Dempsey came through with scores of 43 (with a triple bogey) and 47 (with a double bogey and triple bogey in back-to-back holes) to win the second group 90-105 and give Great Oak a 162-179 lead with two groups in. All five Great Oak scores were in the 40s as Kimi Carpenter’s 45 rounded out the Wolfpack scoring, playing her final three holes in one over par.

Southwestern League individual tournament play is Wednesday, Oct. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 19 on the Lakes Course at Menifee Lakes Country Club.

At Temecula Creek Inn (Par 36)

Great Oak: 207 (+27)

Jessica Li – 35, Skylar Earle – 37, Brooke Carpenter – 43, Gwyneth Dempsey – 47, Kimi Carpenter – 47, *Madison Murakami 62

Vista Murrieta: 219 (+39)

Breanna Noble – 36, Lauren Sammon – 38, Wren Saithong – 44, *Ivy Na 61, Kathryn Freely – 50, Alyzah Manalang – 51

*Name listed in bold does not count towards team score.

Derryl Trujillo can be reached by email at socaltrekkie@gmail.com.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR