Victoria Cui of Crystal Springs Uplands sank a 25-foot putt on the par-5 18th, highlighting birdies on the final three holes, to lift the sophomore to a dramatic victory and the individual title Wednesday with a 4-under 67 at the CIF State Girls Golf Championships at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Santa Margarita smashed its own course record from the Eagles’ 2023 championship performance at Poppy Hills, producing a team score of even-par 355 to capture a third title in four years.
The Eagles and Torrey Pines both shot 366 two years ago at Poppy Hills to eclipse the 2021 effort of 371 by champion Granite Bay.
Santa Margarita became the third girls golf program to win at least three state crowns, joining Torrance with four championships and Torrey Pines’ record six titles, including last year at San Gabriel Country Club to prevent a three-peat by the Eagles.
Cui shot 3-under 33 on the front nine, including an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole, before enduring bogeys on the par-4 13th and 14th holes. But the sophomore responded with birdies on the par-4 16th hole and the par-3 17th hole to put herself in contention for either a playoff or the outright victory on the 18th, as three golfers had already posted scores of 3-under 68.
Victoria Cui of Crystal Springs Uplands achieved birdies on her final three holes to win the state title with a 4-under 67 | Photo courtesy of Alex Valladares
Cui became the first golfer in school history to win a state title. She is also just the second athlete from Crystal Springs Uplands to capture a state championship in any sport, along with Kaiya Brooks earning the Division 5 cross country crown in 2022.
Sophomore Rina Kawasaki of Palos Verdes, last year’s state individual winner in a playoff, finished second, Donina Zhou led Santa Margarita by placing third and Ashley Gettleman of Robert Louis Stevenson was fourth, all one stroke behind Cui.
Gettleman was 5-under through 12 holes, before suffering a triple-bogey on the par-4 14th. She recovered with a birdie on the 16th to remain in playoff contention.
Lucinda Wu, also of Robert Louis Stevenson, achieved fifth at 2-under 69, the same score for sixth-place finisher Juliet Oh of Diamond Bar, as 10 golfers in the field 54 of competitors shot under par.
Angelina Tao became a three-time state team championship member by shooting 73 for Santa Margarita, with Emily Song carding 71 to join Zhou as a two-time winner.
Nora Qu shot 70, Annika Raja had a 73 and Madelyn Cheng posted a 75 for Santa Margarita.
Torrey Pines also shot three strokes better than it did two years ago at Poppy Hills, finishing second at 363, with Robert Louis Stevenson taking third at 367, as three of the five lowest team scores in girls golf state championship history were achieved.
Torrey Pines shot 363 to place second at the CIF State Girls Golf Championships | Photo courtesy of Alex Valladares
Kate Hu led the Falcons at 71, with Alice Koontz, Tyanna Jacot, plus 2023 individual winner and last year’s runner-up Zoe Jiamanukoonkit all shooting 72s and Sydney Kroc adding a 76.
Gettleman and Wu were supported by a 75 from Isabella Sun, a 76 by Allison Chan and Coco He shooting 79 for Robert Louis Stevenson.
Ashley Gettleman, left, and Lucinda Wu shot 68 and 69, respectively for Robert Louis Stevenson in the state final | Photo courtesy of Alex Valladares
Rancho Bernardo finished fourth at 384, Carondelet placed fifth at 395, with Granite Bay sixth at 401.