It’s been said again and again that golf is a mental game.
West Ranch High’s Ashley Mayhall and Bailey Mack will be the first to admit it. The two were the only Foothill League golfers to advance through the CIF-Southern Section Northern Individual Regionals at River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard on Monday.
“At this point, it’s probably 90 percent mental,” said Mayhall, who shot a 3-over 75. “It’s pretty much muscle memory for me, and I just need to stay in my own head. But I’ve definitely grown within that aspect over my past years of high school.”
MORE girls golf: West Ranch wins team, individual titles
Bailey shot 2-over, the best out of all Foothill golfers. Noelle Song of West Ranch finished at 9-over, followed by Clara Venger (Saugus) at 10-over, Justine Reblando (Golden Valley) at 12-over, Ashley Song (Valencia) at 13-over and Sarah Baranda (Valencia) at 15-over.
Mayhall had an exciting development to block out mentally on the course after verbally committing to Georgetown University this past weekend.
“I’m over the moon. It’s been quite a week,” she said.
“They have great athletic programs, and all the girls are so close, and I think (it’s) that they’re so close together that really drew me in. And they have great cupcakes.”
The senior Wildcat also added that she was excited for the experience of being far away from home.
But before she gets there, she, along with Bailey, will be concentrating on progressing through CIF-SS Individuals.
They’ll compete in the CIF Individual WSCGA Qualifying Tournament at Western Hills Golf Club in Chino Hills on Nov. 3.
“I’m just worried about what’s happening now,” Bailey said. “I’m taking baby steps. Focusing on my putting, my short game, my shots. Making sure everything is consistent.”
Monday’s course and conditions were favorable, but the slopes at Western Hills Country Club can be difficult terrain for golfers.
“In the front nine there’s no flat,” said Bailey, who advanced through the Individual WSCGA Qualifying Tournament last season. “A lot of elevation. It’s harder than the third stage that I did last year.”
Mayhall also advanced to the postseason’s second stage last season.
If Bailey and Mayhall finish within the top 28 on Nov. 3, they’ll move on to the CIF/WSCGA Southern California Girls’ Golf
Championship, one step away from state.
But at the moment, they’re not even thinking about that.
“(Today was) just the first step,” Bailey said. “I’m not getting excited right away and there’s two more stages before states, so it’s not a big huge hooray. I still have a long way to go.”
