Palisades High golfers Kerry Burke and Stephanie Foster qualified for next week’s Southern California Regionals by virtue of their scores at the City Section finals Monday in Encino. Burke, a sophomore, braved the cold and rain to fire a 92 at Balboa Golf Course (par 72), the sixth-lowest round posted all day. ‘It wasn’t the best conditions. My hands were frozen when I was trying to putt and the club handles got slippery when it started raining,’ she said. ‘My goal was to get in the Top 10 but I wasn’t sure if I would because I didn’t know what the girls behind me were shooting.’ Playing two groups behind her teammate was Foster, a senior who entered the competition with a heavy heart. Her grandfather, recovering from lung cancer surgery, was in critical condition in a San Diego hospital and Foster left straight from the golf course to visit him. Foster shot a 107, good enough to secure the last of 12 qualifying spots. ‘It wasn’t easy to play in this weather and having a lot on my mind, but it was fun,’ said Foster, who shot 100 and finished runner-up at the Western League finals a week before. Although Palisades did not qualify for the team competition, first-year coach Mike Suarez admitted the Dolphins could have if they had been able to field a full team on a consistent basis. ‘We still finished second in league, which I’m happy about,’ Suarez said. ‘Two other girls (sophomore Amanda Walker and senior Maggie Butte) just missed qualifying as individuals by less than a stroke. So we were right there.’ Paula Kerdpinyo of Marshall shot even par to win the individual title while Granada Hills captured its fourth consecutive team championship.
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