Newport Harbor's Cathy Tong wins CIF Individual Southern Regional golf tournament

Newport Harbor's Cathy Tong tees off the 11th hole in the CIF Southern Section Individual Southern Regional tournament at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills on Tuesday.

By Matt SzaboStaff Writer

Oct. 29, 2019 6:27 PM PT

CHINO HILLS — Local girls’ golfers braved 45-degree temperatures as the CIF Southern Section Individual Southern Regional tournament teed off at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

It took Newport Harbor High senior Cathy Tong no time to start heating up.

Tong put together a historic performance at Los Serranos Country Club’s South course. She became Newport Harbor’s first individual champion in girls’ golf at a CIF tournament, shooting a six-under-par 68 to place first among the 130-golfer field.

Longtime Sailors coach Scott Tarnow said it also was the school’s best round in relation to par in his tenure.

“I’ve been doing this 20 years, and she’s by far the fastest [learner] I’ve ever seen,” Tarnow said. “It’s not close. She’s been so dedicated. She’s doing everything she possibly can to make herself a better player. As much as I think that she’s awesome ... Holy cow. I’m speechless. I can’t even believe it.”

Tong was one of nine local golfers who finished among the top 36, earning a spot at the CIF Southern Section Individual championship and SCGA Qualifying tournament on Nov. 7 at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills.

Her round on the par-74 course included eight birdies and two bogies. Tong said it was particularly gratifying to win after taking two months off from late July to late September due to a left wrist injury.

“After the really long rest, and I still shot the best I’ve ever shot, it was a really fun experience,” Tong said. “It’s an honor to me. I haven’t played a really long time, but I try everything to do my best I can.”

Edison's Chaemin Kim tees off the 11th hole in the CIF Southern Section Individual Southern Regional tournament at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills on Tuesday.

Sage Hill senior Ashleigh Park shot a three-under-par 71 to tie for fifth and move on. Edison sophomore Chaemin Kim shot even-par 74, and Sage Hill senior Jennifer Cai carded a 75.

Edison junior Erin Johnson and Huntington Beach senior Vanessa Betancourt both shot 76 to move on, as did Fountain Valley senior Milan Nguyen (77) and Sage Hill freshman Jessica Wang (78). Fountain Valley sophomore Madison Le shot a 79, and was one of four in a six-player playoff to advance after earning par on the first playoff hole.

Park, headed to the University of Texas, is two rounds away from getting back to the CIF State championship like she did as a sophomore. The San Joaquin League co-individual champion was part of a big season for the Lightning that included a 15-0 record and their fourth straight league title in Park’s time with the program.

She bounced back from a bogey on her first hole Tuesday, recording five birdies on the front nine.

“I was pretty happy,” Park said. “I obviously want get to back to state. Especially since it’s my senior year, got to finish strong.”

Huntington Beach's Vanessa Betancourt tees off the 11th hole in the CIF Southern Section Individual Southern Regional tournament at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills on Tuesday.

Kim, Cai, Johnson and Betancourt all advanced past the first round of CIF Individuals for the second straight year. Betancourt, the Surf League individual champion, made two birdies in her round.

“My game wasn’t really together,” said Betancourt, headed to UC Riverside. “My driver was off, and I kind of had a hook going, but my putting was good. That kind of saved my score.”

Le said it felt gratifying to advance, after losing in a playoff in this tournament last year. This time, she found the sand trap on her second shot of the playoff hole, No. 1, but nailed a 10-foot birdie putt to move on.

“During the playoff, my heart was racing and I was so scared,” Le said. “All I was trying to do was get par, because I knew that par was going to get through the playoff ... Dumping into the bunker was not the best, because the bunkers here play like mud and rock. But making that putt was super-solid.”

Other local golfers competing Tuesday included Fountain Valley senior Misty Le (80), Sage Hill sophomore Mahlia Hampton (84), Edison junior Katie Crinella (87), Newport Harbor junior Sabrina Nesbitt (89), Marina sophomore Sydney Magpoc (98), Estancia junior Lexi Thorpe (100) and Ocean View senior Kristen Cotton (117).