Modesto starts strong on Day 1 of 3C2A Women's Golf Championship in Nipomo

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NIPOMO – The Modesto College Pirates came out firing at the fairways and greens and ended Day 1 of the 3C2A Women’s Golf State Championships with an opening-round lead, with plenty of good teams and good scores nipping at the Pirates’ heels.

Modesto, with four sub-80 scores, wrapped up Sunday’s play at Monarch Dunes Golf Club with a team score of 308, eight shots clear of runner-up Reedley College (316) and nine shots ahead of Mt. San Antonio (317), with Orange Coast (323), Sacramento City (329) and Moorpark (336) in the hunt.

The depth of the Pirates carried the squad against the par-71, links-style course and were led by Emily Cogswell and Lucy Allbaugh, who each shot a 5-over-par, 76, while MJC’s No. 5 golfer in the lineup, Holly Reese, carded a 6-over, 77, with Jordan Williams wrapping up the scoring with a 79. Adding to the depth, Monet Sayadian carded an 81, with Aaliyah Martinez close behind with an 88, giving coach Milan Motroni plenty of quality scoring options at her arsenal.

The low round of the day went to a different Pirate – Orange Coast College standout, Michelle Khin – who carded an even-par, 71. After a 1-over 37 on the front nine, and a bogey on No. 10, Khin found her groove, going birdie-birdie-birdie-par-birdie over a five-hole stretch before a bogey-bogey finish prevented the lone red number among the 65-player field.

Close behind Khin is College of the Canyons’ standout Sahya Kitabatake, who is two shots off the pace after carding a 2-over-par, 73. Moorpark’s Lisette Orellana and Mt. SAC’s Kaitlyn Wang are also in the individual standings hunt after each shooting a 4-over, 75.

Round 2 of the 3C2A Women’s Golf State Championships will take place on Monday at Monarch Dunes Golf Club, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

(Release and scoring by Tony Altobelli, CCCSIA)