ARROYO GRANDE – In a terrific showing in back-to-back days, SBCC women's golfer Carlee Steven posted a 2-day total of 150 to grab 5th-place in the CCCAA Women's Golf State Championship at Cypress Ridge Golf Club.
Day 1
Steven got off to a great start with pars on six of the first eight holes. Sitting at 2-over heading into arguably the easiest par-5 on the course, she was staring a birdie right in the face. Unfortunately, some tough luck ensued, and she walked off with a triple bogey for a front nine score of 41.
"Number 9 isn't too difficult in the fact that it's a par-5 and only 390 yards," said head coach Devin Engebretsen. "Carlee reached the green in two in our practice round with ease, but unfortunately her drive put her in a tough spot in the trees. From there, she had some tree trouble, some bunker trouble, hit into the water hazard guarding the green, and then 2-putted for an 8. It was a rough hole."
However, Steven was able to bounce back from that snafu and shoot 1-under on the inward 9, including a dart on the par-3 number 11 hole where she hit it to three feet.
"Carlee put that triple in the rearview mirror and had two birdies and only one bogey on the back side. On number 16, she drove the green (par-4), had about 30 feet for eagle, and easily two-putted for the bird."
Steven's inward score allowed her to post a 76 for the day and sit in solo 7th-place.
Day 2
The second day saw early sunshine, but then a thick marine layer came in, coupled with some breeze and a 15-degree drop in temperature. In chilly conditions, Steven got off to almost an identical start as the day before, with bogeys on 3, 4, and 8, and pars on 1, 2, and 5-7.
Then came number 9, where she struggled mightily the day before.
"One of the things Carlee and I discussed last night was for her to really attack the par-5s. If she hits a good drive, she can get home in two on all of the par-5s except maybe number 4. She didn't birdie any par-5s on Sunday, and obviously she struggled with number 9. So, we wanted her to try to birdie at least 1 of those par-5s, and stay away from big numbers on those holes."
Steven took the discussion to heart as she ripped a drive down the middle of the number 9 fairway and followed that up with a hybrid from 170 yards to give herself an eagle try from 25 feet. A two-putt saw her make the birdie and card a 2-over outward 38.
After a bogey on 10, Steven really bore down and parred holes 11 through 15, coming to number 16 with a chance to drive the green as she did the day before.
"Carlee was able to drive the green on Sunday, but today she hit a bit of a toe-push that came up about 40 yards short of the green, and way down a hill. She could barely see the top of the flag from her position."
Despite that tough shot staring her down, Steven marked off a 35-yard landing spot, hit her spot perfectly and had 12 feet at a straight, uphill birdie attempt.
"Carlee really showed her grit there, by hitting her spot on the pitch, and then nailing the birdie putt in the heart of the cup."
As the round was ending, thicker fog rolled in, and the players had difficulty even seeing where their tee shots went. Fortunately, Steven was able to rip a 3-wood down the pipe on 17 and make par on the number-one rated hole on the course. Finishing out the round, she made a par on the closing par-5 18th hole, good for an even-par inward 9, and a posted round of 2-over 74.
"I am so proud of the way Carlee battled both days. Things could have really gone south for her after that eight on number 9 the first day, and then a bogey on 10. But she really focused and came in 2-under for that back nine, which I think really set her up for Monday's finish. If she doesn't do that on day one, Monday's round might have been just for concessions. She also learned that every shot matters in these tournaments. If you take away her triple on Sunday, she finishes in solo 3rd-place. At the end of the day, 5th-place in State is tremendous, and Carlee has an outstanding future with SBCC, her next college she plays at and in the game of golf."
