Girls golf: Branson’s Liu, Redwood earn MCAL titles

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Elizabeth Liu of Branson smiles after sinking a putt for an eagle on the 15th green during the MCAL girls golf championship at the Meadow Club in Fairfax, Calif. on Oct.14, 2024. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)

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Elizabeth Liu of The Branson School is setting the stage for another exciting finish to the golf season.

Liu earned medalist honors at the MCAL girls championship for the third year in a row Monday, with a 2-under 71 at the Meadow Club in Fairfax. The Branson senior qualified for the CIF State tournament last year and spent the offseason preparing for another run.

“It didn’t even register at first,” said Liu, who made a putt for eagle on the 15th hole. “I was just off the green, and it didn’t even register what the putt was for. I was just, like, ‘Let’s hit a good putt.’ I figured if I can hit it close, I know I can make birdie. But to see that sink, it really felt nice.”

Redwood High had locked up the MCAL title even before Madeline Lim sank her putt on the 18th green to finish with a team-best 76. Senior Katelyn Van Dusen shot a 78 for the Giants, while Taylor Bridges and Chloe Branson tied at 79.

“I played pretty okay on the front nine, but I had the mindset of the back nine is where you turn things around, and I definitely did that,” said Lim, who was in the final group off the course. “I got two really good birdies on the back, and that totally changed my game. Then it was all about the last hole. I made that for par to finish under 80, so I was really happy.”

Even without Ainsley Gallagher, who pulled out with a sore wrist, the Giants fielded a strong lineup to recapture the MCAL pennant. The Giants tallied a winning score of 309, followed by Branson (367), Marin Catholic (393) and San Marin (416).

“I was lucky to have a good group,” said Bridges, who was in the first foursome off the tees, along with Liu, Marin Catholic’s Lexi Ferguson (84) and San Marin’s Valentina Gudino (96). “My competitors were very strong, especially Lizzie Liu. She’s always great competition and I love playing with her. The other two girls are also amazing. I think it helps me play a better game when I’m with people who are playing well.”

Redwood advances to the North Coast Section Division I tournament, to be held Monday, Nov. 4, at Paradise Valley in Fairfield. Branson heads the field Nov. 28 for the NCS D-II tournament at Petaluma’s Rooster Run.

“This title means a lot,” said Van Dusen, whose Giants last won the MCAL title at Meadow Club in 2022. “It really was full circle, because my sophomore year was the first time I ever played in MCALs. So it felt like the first time and the last time were really similar.”

Novato’s Hayley Picetti shot a 95 in her pursuit of an NCS berth. Tam’s Alessia Ducati turned in a 104, with Terra Linda’s Mia Schlotman at 117.

Liu and the Bulls were supported by matching 94s from Sidney Kawahara and Kaitlyn Schlipf on Monday.

“I’ve seen a lot of younger people on our team really step up,” Liu said. “To see the freshmen and sophomores handle the adjustment has been really exciting. A lot of them have never played golf before this season, so they did a great job.”

Ferguson had a solid day, even after taking the last year away from golf to focus on soccer, but admitted to some frustration.

“I played in a tournament (at Bayonet in Monterey County) over the weekend and the greens were really fast, so that kind of messed with my putting today,” Ferguson said.

Gudino was able to rely on her strong drives the whole day and accurate putting on the back nine to improve on her 98 from last year’s MCAL tournament at Indian Valley.

“I was really focused on the mental grit more than my physical game,” Gudino said. “That really helped, and I made some good shots.”

Girls golf: Branson’s Liu, Redwood earn MCAL titles

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