Calvin, Garcia push Vaqueros to top in 1st round of Desert Classic

Lauren Calvin and Corina Garcia both shot 81 on Friday as SBCC grabbed a share of the lead after one round of the Desert Classic women's golf tournament at Tahquitz Creek Resort in Palm Springs.

Calvin, a sophomore from Westlake, and Garcia, a sophomore from Oceanside, are tied for sixth. Katie Stribling of Irvine Valley is the individual leader at 1-under 71, followed by Serena DiMauro of Reedley (74) and Brittney Do of Saddleback (77). They were the only players to break 80 on a 105-degree day at the 5,206-yard course.

SBCC shot 335 and shares the team lead with Reedley. Desert is five strokes back in third place and defending state champion Modesto is 20 strokes behind the Vaqueros, who've finished first, second and third in the State the last three years.

Alexa Bleth added an 85 for Santa Barbara and No. 1 player Stephanie Farouze had a tough day with an 88.

"That was a career-best for Corina," noted SBCC coach Chuck Melendez. "She's extremely passionate about the game and she works very hard.
 "This is a new team and I like that we had four players in the 80s. I thought Stephanie would do well on this course and I'm sure she'll play better tomorrow."

The Vaqueros will go after their fourth straight Desert Classic title in Saturday morning's final round.

Desert Classic
At par-72 Tahquitz Creek Resort
First round
 Team -- 1 (tie), SBCC 335, Reedley 335. 3, Desert 340. 4, Modesto 355. 5, Mt. SAC 361. 6, Saddleback 378.
 Medalist -- 1, Katie Stribling, Irvine Valley, 71. 2, Serena DiMauro, Reedley, 74. 3, Brittney Do, Saddleback, 77.
 SBCC scores -- 6 (tie), Lauren Calvin 81, Corina Garcia 81. 12 (tie), Alexa Bleth 85. Stephanie Farouze 88, Juliet Parsons 92, Kayla Karst 95.