By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
CV lady golfers enjoying most successful season to date
CV collects its third victory, surpasses last years win total
esmeralda2.tif
Esmeralda Lopez and Central Valleys varsity girls golf team wrapped up the first half of the WAC dual season with a 231-257 win over crosstown-rival Ceres High last week. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity girls golf program is currently enjoying its most successful season to date.

The Hawks surpassed their two-win total from a year ago with a 231-257 victory over the crosstown-rival Ceres High Bulldogs on Thursday at St. Stanislaus Golf Course.

"I'm happy for the girls," Central Valley head coach Kelly Wheelock said. "I'm proud of them. It's a special group. They're putting in the work. They're doing things the right way. They're having fun. They'll continue to get better."

The Hawks compiled a 3-2 record while finishing in third place during the first half of the 2017 Western Athletic Conference dual-competition season.

Central Valley beat Ceres High, Pacheco and Los Banos.

The Hawks lost to first-place Livingston and second-place Patterson.

Patterson beat Central Valley by just six strokes.

"I don't make a big deal out of it so they don't," Wheelock said while talking about his team's recent success. "They're a direct reflection of me. We go out there and have a good time. The biggest thing is all the girls have great attitudes."

Hawk freshman Amelia Daoheung fired a career-best 38 versus the Bulldogs.

Central Valley's Paulina Diaz, Esmeralda Lopez, Emily Almanza and Fiona Gay shot 45, 48, 49 and 51, respectively.

Lopez had the highlight of the day with a par on the fifth hole.

Esmeralda made a chip shot from 40 yards out.

"The ball hit the flagstick and went straight into the cup," Wheelock said. "It was pretty cool to watch."

Ariana Medina led Ceres High with a 43.

Bailey Showen, Alexandra Potts, Benia Torres and Izabell McMurray shot 47, 52, 55 and 60, respectively.

The Hawks snapped a 12-match losing streak versus the Bulldogs dating back to the 2011 season.

Ceres High finished 8-2 in WAC dual play and advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the seventh year in a row in 2016. The Bulldogs beat the Hawks twice during head-to-head competition.

Central Valley had a 2-8 mark.

The Hawks have never qualified for the postseason.

"As a team, we've never made playoffs," Wheelock said. "We have a shot. It's more of a level playing field this year. Us, Los Banos and Patterson, it's a tossup. There's a long ways to go and a lot more to do. We'll see what happens at the end."