Local golfer Ryan Thornberry accomplished a first while competing at the Modesto City Championship last month.
The 2002 Ceres High School graduate/four-time NCAA Division-II All-American at Stanislaus State bested 46 other opponents while claiming the overall title on June 28 at Creekside.
“It was very special,” said Thornberry, 41. “It was cool to see everything come together for a couple of rounds. I was feeling some feelings I haven’t felt in a while.”
Thornberry posted a two-day score of 140.
He shot 4-under-par during the course of the tournament.
He carded a 68 in the first round and a 72 in the second round.
“I had a 4-shot lead after the first round and was able to pull it off,” Thornberry said. “That’s the part I’m most proud of.”
Thornberry reunited with former Ceres High teammates Kip MacArthur and Carlos Maldonado at Creekside.
“We all played together the first round,” he said. “It was like a high-school match. We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we have different obligations. When we do, it’s like the old days.”
Thornberry started playing golf at the professional level in 2006.
He made 11 of 14 cuts during his second season on the Canadian Tour in 2008.
Thornberry advanced to the final stage of PGA Qualifying School in 2013.
He earned conditional status on the Web.com Tour through Q-School in 2014.
A golfer most of his life, Thornberry’s priorities have changed since becoming a husband, father and business owner.
“I haven’t played much competitively the last three years,” he said. “When I do get to practice, I try to simulate competition as much as I can. I never want to show up to a tournament and not have a chance to win it. I still believe I have it in me.”
Ryan and his wife Rachel have two children: Marshall (3) and Charlie (1).
“My priority structure changed,” he said. “Golf is not as important as it once was. Family is always first. Growing a business takes second. I still enjoy playing golf. I like to be competitive.”
“Marshall’s taken a liking to the sport,” Ryan added. “That part is fun.”
Thornberry was inducted into Stanislaus State’s Warrior Hall of Fame in 2018.
He had a record-breaking career at the college level. Thornberry enjoyed his best year with the Warriors as a sophomore in 2004. He finished second at the NCAA Division-II Championships in Deland, Fla. He also won the West Region title in Bellingham, Wash.
Thornberry was named 2005 CCAA Player of the Year.
He tied for third at the West Region Championships and earned CCAA Freshman of the Year honors in 2003.
He had two top-four showings at the CCAA Championships.
Thornberry set a program record with 25 top-10 and 20 top-five finishes during his time at Stanislaus State.
His career stroke average of 71.97 ranks second best in the Warriors’ modern record book.
In 2004, Thornberry set single-season records in scoring average (71.22) and top five-finishes (10) and top-10 finishes (13).
Thornberry starred on Ceres High’s boys golf team from 1999-2002.
He helped lead the Bulldogs to a perfect 18-0 record in the Central California Conference regular-season standings senior year.
He averaged 1.5 strokes under par on the season.
Thornberry was named the CCC’s Most Valuable Player three times.
He placed first twice at the conference championships.
Thornberry was inducted into the Bulldog Hall of Fame in 2018.
Thornberry started playing golf at the age of seven and learned how to play the sport at River Oaks. He became one of the owners of the Ceres golf course in 2015.
“It’s a little surreal,” Thornberry said. “When I was a kid, I never imagined I’d be a future owner of River Oaks. It’s pretty cool. I’m going to give other people the same benefits I had. I get to stay in an industry I love.”
Thornberry and his older sibling Nick are co-owners of California Landscape Supply in Ceres.
“I get to see my brother every day,” Ryan said. “We’ve always been close. We absolutely have each other’s back no matter what.”
