Dougherty’s women’s golf program reached an unprecedented amount of talent in the 2015 season, as players delivered an exceptional performance at critical tournaments that led them to third place at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Golf Championship on Nov. 17 at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, CA.

The road to the State Championship began with a first place win at the Diablo Foothill Athletic League (DFAL) Tournament, with players Yoonhee Kim, Siobhan Sher, Sammy Lee, Reini Lin and Janica Ha scoring 70,76,76,78 and 79, respectively; that allowed Dougherty to advance to the North Coast Section Playoffs (NCS). Out of 21 teams at NCS, three of which advance to the NorCal Regional Golf Championships, the Wildcats placed second with Kim, Lin, Ha, Tiffany Cha and Sher scoring 79, 79, 81, 84 and 85 respectively.

Lee, a freshman State competitor shares, “[These tournaments] were some of the best experiences of my life. I didn’t care as much about the outcome. To me, it’s important to have fun.”

Dougherty advanced to the State Championship after another second place title at NorCal Regionals, held at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas, CA.

Sher elaborates, “As a team, this was our second year advancing to the State Tournament … I think we collectively went in with pretty low expectations. Last year, we took fifth place out of six teams … but it turned out to be a memorable day and all our players came through and performed.”

Indeed, the Wildcats improved from the results of last year, placing third at the State Tournament with scores of 75, 79, 81, 82 and 85 from Kim, Ha, Lee, Cha and Lin, respectively.

Playing for the University of California at Davis next year, senior team member Kim explains, “[This season] went really well. I was really proud of us. Since my freshman year [the women’s golf program] has grown and accomplished so much. It was a really great team effort and we all really relied on each other. It’s sad that it’s coming to an end.”

With three of the six state competitors seniors, the women’s golf program looks forward to new talent and new beginnings next season.