Escalon High School's Lady Cougar golfers completed their schedule by participating in the Master's Tournament on Monday, Nov. 1 at the Reserve Golf Course in Stockton. The girls ended up finishing 11th in the field with one of the better showings for a small school section champion. Escalon's team score of 504 was one of the best this year and gave Coach Rusty Fachner and his players a lot to be proud of.
"The Master's Tournament is a very tough tournament. Every team who is here had to earn their way into the tournament by playing well at sections," Fachner stated. "St. Francis, who won the tournament with a score of 402, was the state champion last year. That's the caliber of teams that we are facing. It would be like our football team playing De La Salle or Grant. You can really only hope that you just play well, and we did that."
Fachner was not only pleased with the team's score, but some individual efforts as well. Presli Pilati shot an 86 and younger sister, Parker, followed with an outstanding round of 88. Sabrina Luque turned in her best 18-hole effort of the year with a 98. She was followed by Nickey Homen's 115, Sage Gabba's 117 and Mary Steves' 130.
"I can't tell you how proud I was of our top three golfers. Presli, Parker and Sabrina all played some quality golf," commented Fachner.
The best part is that two of the three lowest scorers on the day will be back for at least one more season, as Parker Pilati is a sophomore and Sabrina Luque is a junior.
"I'm very much looking forward to next year's team. I think with some hard work, that we'll once again be in the hunt for a league and section title. It will depend on how much time and effort we are willing to put in over the next year. With Sage, Parker, Sabrina, Alex (Peters) and Nickey all returning, and a newcomer or two, we have a pretty good nucleus," said Fachner about next year's chances.
Fachner also wanted to point out the contribution that Presli Pilati has made over the past three years to the golf team and how much she'll be missed.
"Presli is one heck of a player and a really good athlete. She has really led this team over the past three years and a big part of our success is because of her. We hope that we can carry on the tradition that she has helped set and continue to have the success that she has helped us come to expect. I know that I'll miss Presli a lot."
Fachner was also quick to point out that Presli may be unprecedented in Escalon High School sports. Since her sophomore year, she has won two section titles in golf and two section titles in tennis, and she still has a tennis season to go.
"I can't think of anyone in my extended time at Escalon High School who has won four section team titles, with a possibility of five. That's pretty impressive," concluded Fachner.
"The Master's Tournament is a very tough tournament. Every team who is here had to earn their way into the tournament by playing well at sections," Fachner stated. "St. Francis, who won the tournament with a score of 402, was the state champion last year. That's the caliber of teams that we are facing. It would be like our football team playing De La Salle or Grant. You can really only hope that you just play well, and we did that."
Fachner was not only pleased with the team's score, but some individual efforts as well. Presli Pilati shot an 86 and younger sister, Parker, followed with an outstanding round of 88. Sabrina Luque turned in her best 18-hole effort of the year with a 98. She was followed by Nickey Homen's 115, Sage Gabba's 117 and Mary Steves' 130.
"I can't tell you how proud I was of our top three golfers. Presli, Parker and Sabrina all played some quality golf," commented Fachner.
The best part is that two of the three lowest scorers on the day will be back for at least one more season, as Parker Pilati is a sophomore and Sabrina Luque is a junior.
"I'm very much looking forward to next year's team. I think with some hard work, that we'll once again be in the hunt for a league and section title. It will depend on how much time and effort we are willing to put in over the next year. With Sage, Parker, Sabrina, Alex (Peters) and Nickey all returning, and a newcomer or two, we have a pretty good nucleus," said Fachner about next year's chances.
Fachner also wanted to point out the contribution that Presli Pilati has made over the past three years to the golf team and how much she'll be missed.
"Presli is one heck of a player and a really good athlete. She has really led this team over the past three years and a big part of our success is because of her. We hope that we can carry on the tradition that she has helped set and continue to have the success that she has helped us come to expect. I know that I'll miss Presli a lot."
Fachner was also quick to point out that Presli may be unprecedented in Escalon High School sports. Since her sophomore year, she has won two section titles in golf and two section titles in tennis, and she still has a tennis season to go.
"I can't think of anyone in my extended time at Escalon High School who has won four section team titles, with a possibility of five. That's pretty impressive," concluded Fachner.
