Two Cats continue individual postseason

Prep girls golf: West Ranch’s Noelle Song, Zoe Campos qualify for CIF-Southern Section Individual Finals

Throughout this season, West Ranch girls golf’s Noelle Song has been working on perfecting her driver. She could always hit the ball far, she just had to control it.

Song’s journey to the CIFSouthern Section playoffs has been similar: She knew she could make it far. She just had to be consistent to create an ideal final product.

At the CIF-SS Individual Regionals on Monday, the junior’s consistency earned her a score low enough to qualify for the CIF-SS Individual Finals for the first time in her varsity golf career.

She carded a 4-over 76 at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai and, along with Zoe Campos, was one of two Wildcats golfers to make the cut.

“I’m really excited because I really want to grow each year,” Song said. “I was really looking forward to passing the first stage and working on the second stage and hopefully making the third stage.”

Campos had the best performance of all Cats golfers, claiming the medalist title

with a 4-under.

Paige Harrison and Mack Bailey also competed for West Ranch and finished the day 8-over and 9-over, respectively.

Hart’s Paige Heuer was 10over and Valencia’s Kimberly Tsai was 14-over in a field of 122 competitors.

“I really hoped that at least some West Ranchers would move on and it was Zoe which, which was really cool,” Song said. “So that was really cool that we have two West Ranchers representing for the second stage.”

Song added that her improved driver helped her perform at a windy and warm Soule Park. On a par-5, she nailed a drive that set her up for a second shot on the green.

Being surrounded by some of the strongest players in the CIF-SS only served as further motivation.

“I see so many wide range of players in league,” Song said, “but when I go to CIF, it’s even more elite players out there and it’s just inspirational to see all those low numbers and I’m trying to strive for that, too.”

The CIF-SS Individual Finals will take place on Thursday, Nov. 2. The CIF-SS Team Championships, which West Ranch, Valencia and Hart will play in, are on Monday, Oct. 30.