Central Valley’s varsity girls golf program had two individuals compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III Tournament last week in Auburn.

Junior Amelia Daoheung shot a 106, while senior Esmeralda Lopez carded a 138 at Ridge Golf Course on Oct. 21.

Daoheung finished in 23rd place in a field of 107.

A three-time Divisional qualifier, Daoheung tied for 26th place (105) at Rancho Del Rey Golf Course as a sophomore.

“It was a much tougher course this year,” said Daoheung, who played a practice round at Ridge the day before the tournament. “The greens were super, fast. If you barely tapped the ball, it would go flying. I kept hitting the ball into hazards. That’s what cost me a lot of strokes. I had a ton of nerves. I was overthinking shots.”

Daoheung was grouped with Lincoln’s Tuesday Epperson, East Union’s Melinda Amick and Del Campo’s Avery Gatlin this year.

 Epperson (77) and Amick (78) both advanced to Masters.

“It was a little intimidating,” Daoheung said. “Two of the girls I played with were very good. They’d par almost every hole. My score was pretty average.”

Daoheung qualified for Divisionals for the third year in a row.

She was the top player in the Central California Conference.

Daoheung took first at the CCC End-Of-Season Tournament. She placed fifth in 2018.

“I’m looking forward to next year,” she said. “I would like to bring down my scoring average. I see it happening. I just have to put extra practice in.”

A first-time Divisional participant, Lopez (138) placed 50th. 

“I’m so happy she qualified this year,” Daoheung said. 

Teammates for three years, Daoheung and Lopez played golf together for the final time last week.

“It’s sad that she’s leaving,” Daoheung said. “We’re going to miss her. She always lightened the mood. She has a special place in my heart.”