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Former Colt Bedolla cruises to
county golf title
By Vytas Mazeika 08/06/2009
Daily News Staff Writer
In the fall of 2006, Kimberly Bedolla made her debut for Canada
College and its inaugural women's golf team.
"Her first match, she shot about 108," said Canada coach Rick
Velasquez, who won't forget a drained Bedolla nearly getting a
concussion after bumping into a tree at the end of the round. "I
remember that's how she started when she played for us."
Less than three years later, Bedolla stands alone as the 2009 Santa
Clara County women's champion after shooting even-par during the
two-round event held Monday and Tuesday at San Jose Country Club.
"When I first started playing, I wasn't sure how well I was going to
do because it is such a tough sport," said Bedolla, who last year
played in the county tournament for the first time. "But this year,
going into it, I thought I had a really good shot of winning it."
The 21-year-old Mitty-San Jose graduate was the first-day leader
after shooting a 3-under 69 Monday.
It was Bedolla's first round under par, and it could've been even
lower if not for three putts that lipped out.
"I was just striking the ball so pure and it seemed like every shot
was going at the flag," Bedolla said.
Never before the leader heading into the final round, any jitters
went away after the first hole. Her drive hit the fairway, the
second shot found the green and an easy two-putt for par erased any
doubts.
"After the first hole, there's no stopping it," Bedolla said.
A runaway winner by 11 strokes on the championship flight group,
Bedolla made the walk to the 18th green with a smile on her face and
nearly closed out the championship with a birdie, as the ball hung
on the hole before a tap-in for par.
"It was a real honor to walk up and get the trophy," Bedolla said.
"Everybody was standing up for me and clapping. It was a humbling
experience."
Bedolla, after a successful summer, is looking forward to her senior
year at Santa Clara University, where she will be joining the golf
team for a second season.
"She's a very self-motivated young lady," Velasquez said. "I've seen
women and young girls develop a golf game in a very short time."
Bedolla, who made all-conference during her two seasons with the
Colts, credits Canada for providing her with much-needed tournament
experience.
Canada, with the only community college women's golf team on the
Peninsula, is still looking for members for its 2009 team that
begins practice in the last week of August and tees off in
September.
The Colts hold their fundraiser tournament Monday at the Presidio,
with a free replay within 30 days for any of the participants. If
interested in joining the Canada men's or women's golf teams or
entering the fundraiser tournament, contact coach Rick Velasquez at
650-683-0261.
Aug
6, 2009
 Aug
6, 2009
Women's Championship Golf Gallery
Bedolla wins;
locals do well in Santa Clara County Women's Championship -
Ladies battle on the links
SAN JOSE -- Rarely does one capture their first career victory in a
tournament as storied as the Santa Clara County Women's Golf
Championship, on the their home course no less. Rarely do the stars
align so perfectly as they did this week for 21-year-old Kimberly
Bedolla.
Her opponents say she has a bright future in golf. And though she
may celebrate a few more titles in the coming years as a walk-on at
Santa Clara, Bedolla has a soft spot saved for the one she seized
with two impressive rounds at the 6,225-yard San Jose Country Club.
The Los Gatos native with a 2 handicap shot a 1-under-par 69 Monday
and a 75 Tuesday to win the 67th annual tournament.
"It's very special to me," said Bedolla, who led by seven strokes
after the first day. "It's my first win, my first time under par and
it's my home course -- that pushed me even more to do my best."
Playing in the championship flight that included Jenni Jenq, a
talented young scratch golfer who played for Wellseley, and
defending champion and 1984 winner Teri Preciado-Gangi, Bedolla did
just enough in the second day to protect her big lead. She hit her
stride on the par-4 No. 6, sinking a 10-foot putt for birdie.
"It's amazing because she's been golfing for four years. What an
accomplishment," said Gilroy's Terry Mayes, who finished fourth at
158. "She's a delightful young lady -- Jenni, too. They put on a
pretty good show."
Jenq, who aspires to play professionally, took second at 155, and
Preciado-Gangi was a stroke behind. Morgan Hill's Sheila Michael
(202) and Lani Gadsby (205) placed sixth and seventh in their
respective flights. Michael was second low net.
"I had some nice long putts," said Michael, a 21 handicap who was
playing in her fourth Santa Clara Championship. "I think my putting
was good; drives were good, but I wasn't as consistent as I'd like
to be. You just try your hardest and hope it all comes together.
"I think I had a great group. That has a lot to do with it. You
always meet nice people."
So nice that Preciado-Gangi urged Bodello to go for another win next
year.
"She told me, 'Two years in a row. One of us needs to keep playing
to try to win,' " Bedolla said.
The underlying theme is tradition, which has been a staple of the
tournament. Each year, it draws more than a hundred players who are
members of private and public clubs in Santa Clara County.
They play in flights based on handicaps.
"The champion for our county should come from our county. It should
be exclusive," tournament director Mitz Alverson said. "Time to
time, we have other people to fill the event, but we've been able to
keep it exclusive."
Alverson, who has organized the past 10 tournaments, said this
year's field was the "most impressive" in her time as director.
"We've always tried to keep the championship flight to single-digit
(handicap) golfers," she said. "This year, we had 16 single digits.
Kimberly just had a phenomenal round. Over the years, the lowest
single-day round I ever saw was a 72."
Mayes said the Santa Clara County Women's Golf Association-sponsored
tournament was a success -- and she wasn't referring to her score.
Mayes understands what a challenge it is to put on an event. In
early June, she and her group held a tournament at Gilroy's Eagle
Ridge Golf Club that raised more than $4,000 for charity.
"The women that put this on, they do a great job; each lady in their
own way," Mayes said. "A lot of the golfers came down for our event,
so kudos to them. It was great seeing so many of them out here
again."
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