Claremont High School girls golf is enjoying another winning season, thanks in part to a very talented freshman who is tearing up the links.

Tuesday was a perfect example as Jett Legacion shot a very impressive 38 on the 36 par Marshall Canyon Golf Course as the Pack narrowly edged out Ayala, 234-257 for their fifth straight Palomares League win.

“She is an amazing kid, with talent and she really works hard,” Coach Octavio Hernandez said. She shot three under last week against Wilson High School in Industry Hills.

Of course, Legacion is not alone. Junior Sally Wang shot a very impressive 41, including a birdie on hole two. Amanda Gale and Maryn Santiago both shot 48, followed by Jillian Berry at 59 and Mikala Purugganan at 61. Under league rules the top five scores are counted.

Ayala’s Lauren Chen received Ayala’s lowest score, 47, nine strokes more than Legacion. She was followed by Katherine Yuhan at 51, Moriah Spann at 55, Janice Yow at 55, Jayden Guiterrez at 57 and Nayeon Kim, also at 57. 

High school teams play the front nine at Marshall.

It was perfect weather for golf on Tuesday, cool and sunny with little wind. The clear conditions help with following where the ball lands, while the lack of wind means they can drive higher and farther, according to Coach Hernandez. “The wind may pick up after five,” he said. “Then they will have to shoot lower.”

Girls golf struggled for many years, but the Pack has really found their legs recently including setting a school record of 202 strokes at Marshall, which is Claremont’s home course.

With a 5-2 league record, which is also their overall record, the girls are in second place going into the final week. However, Claremont still has to face the league’s top team Diamond Bar in back-to-back matches next week. Claremont’s two losses were against Glendora, which has already taken on, and lost to Diamond Bar.

Golf plays an accelerated schedule because they have finish the season, including both individual and team CIF matches, before daylight savings time ends on November 5.

Palomares League finals are in two weeks beginning with prelims at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills. The top 20 finishers will advance to the finals at Western Hills Country club, also in Chino Hills.

—Steven Felschundneff

steven@claremont-courier.com