Chang, Vaqueros grab first-round lead in State Championships

Carolin Chang shot even-par 72 on Sunday as SBCC took a six-shot lead after the first round of the CCCAA Women's Golf State Championships at Morro Bay Golf Course.

Chang, a sophomore from Taiwan who's the defending state champion, had four birdies and four bogeys on the 5,378-yard layout. She's tied for the lead with Nao Brando of Sierra in the eight-team, 57-player field. Aman Sangha of Canada and Araceli Esquivel of Irvine Valley are tied for third at 74.

SBCC is seeking its second straight State title and third in four years. The Vaqueros finished at 312 with Cuyamaca second at 318 and Northern Cal champion Sierra third at 319. Modesto is fourth at 324.

Vanessa Watkins added a 76 for the Vaqueros and she's tied for sixth. Savanah Boss shot her second-best score of the year (81) and Danielle Picard was the fourth scorer at 83.

"Carolin finished strong with a birdie on the 18th after an up-and-down day," said SBCC coach Chuck Melendez. "Vanessa was solid and Savanah came through with a great score.

"Putting is difficult on this course with a lot of slopes on the greens. The weather was perfect today and 312 is a great score. I think we can play even better tomorrow in our last round of the year."

Melendez also had high praise for his assistant coach and former player, Nicole Bullemer.

"She's a wonderful young coach and she's done a lot for our team," noted Melendez. "She finished third in the State one year. She's a great asset as she allows me to be two places at one time on the course."

The final round of the 36-hole tourney will take place on Monday with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

CCCAA State Championships
At par-72 Morro Bay GC
First round
 Team -- 1, SBCC 312. 2, Cuyamaca 318. 3, Sierra 319. 4, Modesto 326. 5, Fresno City 336. 6, Canada 342. 7, Irvine Valley 349. 8, Saddleback 351.
 Individual – 1 (tie), Carolin Chang, SBCC 72; Nao Brando, Sierra, 72. 3 (tie), Aman Sangha, Canada, 74; Araceli Esquivel, Irvine Valley, 74.
 SBCC scores -- 1, Chang 72. 6 (tie), Vanessa Watkins 76. 15, Savanah Boss 81, 15, Savanah Boss 81. 16 (tie), Danielle Picard 83. 38 (tie), Daniela Ruffo 88. 50 (tie), Corina Garcia 94.