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Turlock golf headed to NorCals for first time since 2007
Turlock girls golf
Turlock finished Mondays Masters tournament at the Reserves at Spanos Park with a third place finish. - photo by Photo Contributed

The Turlock High girls golf team is moving on to the Northern California State Tournament for the first time since 2007, when Emily Szabo made it as an individual for the Bulldogs.

Turlock finished Monday’s Masters tournament at the Reserves at Spanos Park with a third place finish out of 14 schools, with Oak Ridge (420) and Davis SR. (427) finishing in first and second, respectively.

Turlock’s final score was 437 after Sarah Garcia led all Bulldogs with a team-best score of 80.

“I wasn't surprised.  I had a gut feeling we would do this...I was calm all morning and day long and kind of knew the gals would handle the course,” said Turlock head coach Mary Krupka. “Later, after remembering the honor it is to make this tournament, it started to sink in.

“I am excited for the team because they are going to be a part of a great golf tournament where the players are going to be outstanding.”

Masters proved to be a tough day for every individual golfer out there. Pitman’s Taylor Beckwith shot a 78, but it was not good enough to move her into the NorCal Tournament.

Although nobody from Turlock reached Beckwith’s score, the consistency was obvious as Bergen Benedict scored second best on the team (81) and Brooke Vierra finished third (85).

“We played to our general potential at this tournament and it felt good,” Krupka said. “Can we play better?  I think the team is totally capable of shaving 10-15 strokes off their score. The next big step for the team is, can they take the way they just played and do it again?”

The NorCal Tournament will be held at the Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas on Monday.

“The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas has small greens like we have at Turlock Country Club.  There appears to be less trees as well,” Krupka said. “But, as with golf, surprises lurk around every corner.  We will be able to walk the course (not play) on Sunday and do some putting.  From there, the gals will just need to manage their games and the course to the best of their ability.

“This group of golfers has had a lot of success during their THS careers.  Most of it is due to the team unity and commitment the players have towards each other and to Turlock High. Winning is one of many parts that makes this team successful.”