Team is competing this week in Hawaii for overall California championship
By NATHAN MIXTER
Sports Editor
Ridgemark’s Mitch Thomas, Pat Jackson and Lisa Bagley-Terzian won the TV Team Championship in the final round at Poppy Ridge by two strokes over Indian Valley.
As the best in Northern California in a field of 88 teams, the Ridgemark golfers are flying to Maui to compete in the 2004 California Grand Championship this week against the Southern California winners from Mission Hills.
The teams are made up of three players consisting of a golf professional and a male and female amateur from each of the clubs.
This is the third year that the Ridgemark golfers have competed together. Although they have advanced to the finals twice before, they have never won until this year.
During the qualifying round at Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa Valley, Ridgemark scored a low of 60, which was the lowest ever recorded in a qualifying round in the 10 years that the tournament has been held.
“I always felt we were the best team, but that really made a statement,” Thomas said. “We are the best team in the field, and everyone knows it. But all it takes is a bad hole, and we can be beat.”
Although Thomas is the leader on the team, he credits his teammates with doing their parts in the best -ball tournaments.
“We all help each other out with reading the yardage and judging shots,” Thomas said. “That is all part of the game.”
“We know each other well, and that helps calm our nerves,” Jackson added. “It gives us a big advantage.”
Both Thomas (San Benito High ’75) and Jackson (San Benito High ’83) were born and raised in Hollister. Bagley-Terzian lives in San Jose. While attending Foothill College, she was the No. 1 golfer on the men’s golf team. She is averaging about 250 yards off the tee, Thomas said.
The group plans to enjoy their free trip to Hawaii and maybe even get in some time by the pool.
“All the pressure is off,” said Thomas, who won $10,000 as the pro in the tournament. “Now it is all about taking it easy and relaxing.”
But even though Thomas hasn’t seen the course before, he still hopes to give the South team a run for its money.
“They are talking real big like they want to beat us,” Thomas said. “We will have to shoot under par for a chance to win.”
The championship rounds will be broadcasted on FoxSports beginning July 4 and will continue each week on Sundays and Mondays.
The Road to the championship
1st Round
Ridgemark def. Brookside CC at Blue Rock Springs
2nd Round
Ridgemark def. defending champions Rooster Run at Spanish Bay GC
Quarter Finals
Ridgemark def. Marin CC at The Ridge GC
Semi Finals
Ridgemark def. Salinas CC at Richmond CC
Finals
Ridgemark def. Indian Valley CC at Poppy Ridge GC
