Don Trolinger doesn’t remember the last time Will C. Wood High School’s girls golf team beat crosstown rival Vacaville on the links.
Wood’s head coach knows it’s been years, at least, but can’t recall exactly when it last happened.
Trolinger won’t need to dig too deep in the memory bank any longer after his Wildcats took down the four-time defending Monticello Empire League Bulldogs 235-277 in a nine-hole Tuesday afternoon match at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.
“We haven’t beat them (Vacaville) in a very long time,” said Trolinger, who is a member of the Wood Hall of Fame. “I’m proud of this group. They’ve accomplished a lot this year and this is another notch in the belt.”
It has indeed been a huge year for the Wood girls golf team. The Wildcats recently posted a very impressive score of 210 in a victory over Rodriguez — the lowest number the team has carded in at least 10 years, Trolinger believes.
The score wasn’t quite as low Tuesday, but the good times continued to roll for the Wildcats, who are still undefeated in head-to-head matches this year.
“I think we may have been a little distracted with the Vacaville-Wood rivalry,” said Trolinger, who was under the weather and wasn’t able to attend the match. “It wasn’t our best score. We may have lost a little concentration, but that’s the way it goes. It’s hard to be consistent all the time in golf. It’s a hard game.”
Wood was led by Alyssa Salazar and Alexis Larsen, both of whom carded five-over-par rounds of 41.
Trolinger was especially happy with Larsen, who has continued to improve steadily during her time at Wood.
“It was good to see 41s from Alyssa and Alexis,” Trolinger said. “Alexis has been very steady. It doesn’t matter who she’s playing, she always seems to be focused. She’s worked hard at her short game and she plays basically every weekend with her dad.”
Jalyn Robinson shot a 44 for the Wildcats, while Melissa Sauter carded a 53 and Jodi Garner posted a 56.
Mack Drake – The Reporter
Vacaville High’s Riley Birch booms her tee shot at No. 7 during the Bulldogs’ match against Wood on Tuesday at Cypress Lakes. Birch paced the Bulldogs with a round of 41.
It’s been an uncharacteristic year for Vacaville after losing several key seniors from last year’s team. The Bulldogs were anchored by Riley Birch’s 41. Analisa Borja posted a 52 and Taleya Grillo carded a 54.
Sam Lovejoy and Aubrey Stevenson rounded out the Bulldogs with matching 65s.
“I’m proud of the group that played today,” Vacaville head coach Justin Bassey said. “We are having fun and enjoying playing golf. This group is learning and getting better each day.”
Vacaville and Wood are both in action today at the first MEL tournament of the season, which is being contested at Rancho Solano Golf Course.
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