NVC's Lynda Donahue heads to state championships

Lynda Donahue continues her sophomore season for the Napa Valley College women's golf team by playing in the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships.

The season-ending event, featuring team and individual scoring, is today starting at 10 a.m. and Tuesday at Tracy Golf and Country Club. The field will play from the red tees, with the course set up as a par-73, 5,797-yard layout.

"I'm really excited," Donahue said. "This is my first time advancing. I'm really excited about seeing the other ladies from the other schools in Southern California, so I'm thrilled."

Canada College-Redwood City won the Northern California title last week and is undefeated on the year. Santa Barbara City College is the Southern California champion.

Modesto and Fullerton are the other two teams that made it to state.

Officials will be provided by the Northern California Golf Association.

Canada is led by Shannon Wong, the NorCal medalist, who shot 84-71 — 155.

"My consistent game is around the low 80s and that's what I'd like to shoot when I go to Tracy," said Donahue. "I'd like to finish in the top 10. If I can, that would be great."

Donahue made the All-Big 8 Conference team after finishing fourth in the season-long scoring totals.

"I think I'm playing well. I have a lot more confidence in some of my iron shots," she said.

Napa Valley finished third at the CCCAA Northern California Championships, which were held last week at Fig Garden Golf Course in Fresno. The Storm shot rounds of 352 and 357 for a 709 total for the two-day, 36-hole event.

Canada won with a 646 total and was followed by Modesto (690), NVC, Sierra (721), Sacramento City (738) and West Hills-Coalinga (813).

Napa Valley was led by Donahue, who shot 81-86 — 167 and qualified for state as an individual.

Portia Kenney (87-83 — 170), Taylor Quilling (87-91 — 178) and Lesley Stewart (97-97 — 194) also played for the Storm.

NVC was presented with the third-place trophy.

Fig Garden, with its narrow fairways and fast, undulating greens, played difficult, said Donahue, who kept her driver in the bag and hit 3-wood off the tee.

"It paid off for me, as I was able to keep it in play and score like I did," she said.

At the age of 61, Donahue is a retired educator, having worked for 38 years, including 12 years as the special education director in the Vacaville Unified School District.

She plays out of Rancho Solano Golf Club in Fairfield and Half Moon Bay Golf Links.

Kenney is the second alternate from NorCals.

Tuesday's final round starts at 8:30 a.m. An awards ceremony follows at 2:30 p.m.