California's Renee Roberts shot an 87 to place second overall to lead the Lady Pintos at the California Invitational Tuesday. Sophie Brant and Mikala Jungmeyer tied for third with an 88.
Sacred Heart's Olivia Sobaski earned medalist honors with a 71, while her team finished first overall with a team score of 375. Hallsville finished second with a 421.
Through the first half of the golf season, California Coach Ashley Atteberry likes where her team is at, but there's still room for improvement heading into the last week and a half before the district tournament.
"I think if we could improve on the short game then we'll be in a lot better shape," Atteberry said.
Atteberry plans to take her team to Turkey Creek Golf Center to practice. The par-3 course will give the Lady Pintos a lot of practice on their short game.
At the California Invitational, Roberts played consistent throughout her round, not suffering the dreaded blow-up hole. She finished with a 44 on the front nine and a 43 on the back nine.
"My drives and second shots were pretty good," Roberts said. "I struggled putting. I had quite a few three-putts, but I ended up shooting my best score."
Brant finished the front nine with a nine-over 45, then she shot bogies on the first four holes on the back nine. On the 14th, she shot a three-over seven on the par four. But she pared three of the final four holes to finish with the 88.
"I just knew I had to bear down and just keep my focus," Brant said. "I didn't want to blow up at the end. I just wanted to finish strong."
Sarah McCord played her first 18-hole round of the season, finishing with a 132.
"I'm very proud that she was able to finish 18 holes, and she said she kind of got in the middle (of the round) and lacked a little focus," Atteberry said. "But she got herself on track and finished strong."
Russellville's team had a strong showing with all three of the girls placing in the top-10. Jungmeyer's 88 led the team, Madie Bungart's 99 was good enough for a tie for eighth place and Madison Oliver shot a 100 for a tie for ninth.
"Madison, she's improving every day, got her low round of the year for 18," Russellville head coach Jeff Benward said. "She also struggled on some chips. Madie Bungart had her round of the year with a 99. Overall they all played pretty good."
On Monday, California competed in a dual against Boonville at Hail Ridge Golf Course with two of the Lady Pintos finishing first and second. Brant earned medalist honors with a 42 and Roberts shot a 44 for second.
"We had a couple holes where they were non-consistent, that's why they weren't exactly very happy," Atteberry said. "But without those couple of holes on the course, they played extremely well."
Madison Ratcliff finished fifth with a 55 and Sarah McCord and Maryanne Henley finished tenth and 11th with a 65 and 68, respectively.