Finding the Green

Golfin’ Dolphins Finish Third at City Section Finals as Five Players Qualify for SoCal Regionals

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Every shot counts. That was the message Palisades High girls golf coach James Paleno had for his team after last Thursday’s City Section Championships.

The Dolphins took third place, only 11 strokes behind the winner Granada Hills and only three shots back of second-place Cleveland, a sign Palisades is narrowing the gap between itself and the City’s top programs.

“A few shots here or there and we would’ve qualified for regionals,” Paleno lamented. “That said we came closer than we ever have and we’re still a very young team.  So the future looks bright.”    

In a nine-hole practice round on the same course a week before the Golfin’ Dolphins edged Cleveland by four strokes and Palisades’ score of 455 at Balboa Golf Course in Encino was its lowest in the City finals since the program was reinstated in 2014.

Palisades’ previous best score in the finals was 510 last fall when it placed fifth and Paleno’s squad totaled 528 in 2017 when it took fourth, its previous best finish.

Despite just missing their first SoCal Regional berth, the Golfin’ Dolphins achieved another “first” as five players had good enough rounds to advance as individuals to today’s competition at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena.

Earning a medal after carding one of the 10 best scores last Thursday was sophomore Jammy Cho, who fired a 15-over par 87 over 18 holes, a big improvement  over her 101 at City finals last fall.     

“I shot 44 on the front 9 and 43 on the back, the best I’ve ever done here,” Cho said. “I was more nervous last year since I’ve played here a lot and the City tournament is here.”

One shot behind Cho was senior Mariana Paleno (+16) and a stroke behind her at 17-over was ninth-grader Mandana Sahmedini.

“My group was very intimidating and very good but all of the girls were super nice,” Paleno said after her career-best 88 at Balboa. “This course is longer and harder than Penmar but the greens and fairways are smoother. It’s nice to go out leaving a legacy.”

Freshman Chloe Rahn shot a 95 and senior Lillia Weissmuller shot a 96 to claim the 12th and last qualifying spot.

“This year’s turned out to be a little rougher than previous years, but being team captain I’m proud  I stuck with it and provided some leadership,” Weissmuller said. “It was a nice day, the weather was more tolerable and this sport has been a big part of my life.”        

Weissmuller shot a 97 to qualify as a sophomore and shot a 90 (13th overall) last season to grab the seventh qualifying position.   

Sophomore Sofia Canter, who  helped the Pali High girls varsity basketball team to the City Division I title last winter, shot a 101  but only the top five scores count toward the team total.

Angelina Kim of Fairfax (-2) took the individual crown for the second time in three years. The Long Beach State-bound senior shot a 4-under 68 and parred the first playoff hole to win two years ago and tied for second at +2 last fall. Sarah Amaya of Birmingham  was second at even par and Jeissy Lee aced the 13th hole on her way to third place at +5.

“Coach Paleno is amazing—he knows golf, he plays it and he gives us good advice,” Sahmedini said. “I wanted to shoot in the high 70s. What I learned the most  is to keep grinding through and to try my best on every shot. I’m going to miss the seniors for sure, they were a blast to play with. My strength is driving and irons but I worked on my short game most. I want to be better than Angelina by my senior year. Chloe and I want to go pro. Sierra (Sugarman) will be pretty good also. We want to go to the range three times a week.”

Palisades won the Western League for the fourth straight year and was second at League Finals.