But GHS gets another chance today against Watsonville at Gilroy
Golf Course
Marc David Sports Editor
Gilroy – Numbers are a definite problem for the Gilroy girls’ golf team.
But those on the team are likely to enjoy this season since they are all good friends who promise to be there for each other.
Four-year No. 1 golfer Kristen Campos is gone to Santa Barbara City College, which means the mantle of top golfer is now worn by four-year player Annie Cockerill. The two were close friends and Cockerill was more excited Wednesday that Campos had shot a 79 in a collegiate match in Palm Springs than the 54 she posted at Gilroy Golf Course.
It was the Mustangs’ home opener. Pacific Grove brought just four girls, but one was 13-year-old freshman phenom Haley Andreas, who shot 38 as the Breakers won 208-243. Andreas played the first four holes in five strokes each, then blistered the last five holes in 18 strokes to lead the Breakers.
Lauren Piland shot 47, Karina Valencia 50 and Katherine Barreto 73 for Pacific Grove, which was fifth in the TCAL Jamboree one day earlier at Ridgemark Golf & Country Club.
Meanwhile, Cockerill, Rowena Tabilas (56), Stephanie Walker (63) and Jasmine Robles (70) scored for Gilroy. Katie Kishimura shot 74 and Natalie Scettrini had 75 for the Mustangs.
GHS is an all-senior team with the exception of Kishimura, so it may mean coach Sally Enriquez has to do some recruiting in the hallways this spring. Nevertheless, she likes what she has.
“I was pleased with the way they played in the first meet,” Enriquez said. “We will definitely improve as we go on. I would expect Robert Louis Stevenson to dominate and San Benito to be strong. We will be middle of the pack but hopefully move up by the end of the season.”
Cockerill and Tabilas should provide the leadership, not just during matches but during sixth period when the girls take golf together at the high school.
“We’re all good friends,” Cockerill said, “so we can all be open with each other. We help each other out.”
Cockerill said she would like to get her scores in the low to mid-40s on a consistent basis. Cockerill acknowledged she didn’t practice enough over the summer when she was working two jobs.
Tabilas’ goals are simple this season.
“I want to get a lower score each time I play,” said Tabilas, who shaved four strokes from the TCAL Jamboree in the match against Pacific Grove. “I expect to better my scores and would like to be in the 40s.”
As for her leadership role, Tabilas, who is also a four-year GHS golfer, said, “I always give tips on the side. Everyone takes it well because we’re all good friends. Everyone listens well and we get along.”
The Mustangs play for the third day in succession today when they host Watsonville at 3:30 pm at Gilroy Golf Course.
