SUNRISE GOLF: Green Valley’s Khumnark captures individual title

Mercedes Khumnark needed some alone time at the conclusion of last year’s Division I Sunrise Region girls golf tournament after she finished in second place.

The Green Valley senior didn’t need a few minutes to gather herself this year.

Khumnark carded a 3-over-par 75 at Anthem Country Club to earn medalist honors Tuesday at the Sunrise tournament.

“Last year, I was so emotional just because I lost by (two strokes). I was so close to it, and I didn’t get it,” Khumnark said. “This year I had a lot more confidence in my game because I’ve been practicing a lot more just for it. I made sure that every shot counts this year, and because it’s my senior year I wanted to finish strong.”

Coronado freshman Gabby Denunzio shot 80 to finish second as the Cougars earned their second straight region title with a team score of 331. Green Valley was second at 374.

Both teams along with the top five individuals from nonqualifying teams advance to the state tournament that begins Monday at Somersett Golf and Country Club in Reno.

Khumnark was even par after the first nine holes as she followed a bogey on No. 7 with a her lone birdie on No. 8.

“On eight, my coach told me my approach is the most important,” Khumnark said. “So I tried to give myself a good line that I was comfortable with and keep my head down, follow through. And I hit it about 3 feet from the pin.”

Khumnark had a double bogey on the 288-yard, par-4 15th hole to drop to 3 over, but nearly made up for it on the par-5 18th. She reached the green in two shots and missed a difficult eagle putt before settling for one of her 14 pars on the 5,270-yard layout.

“My game was pretty solid throughout the round,” Khumnark said. “I was a little bummed I didn’t shoot what I wanted to, but I think I can do better for state.”

Denunzio gave Coronado a lift after senior Natalie Yamamoto was forced to withdraw after eight holes because of illness, according to Cougars coach Joe Sawaia. Coronado freshman Sammy Penor shot 81 to finish third, and teammate Isabella Martinez was tied for fourth along with Rancho’s Aubrianna Jordan at 82.

Ashley Lung shot 88 as Coronado had four golfers finish in the top six.

“Our depth helped,” Sawaia said. “They all improved on the back nine. They kind of caught wind of Natalie having to go home, so they knew they kind of had to step it up a little bit.”

Katherine Kares of Green Valley also shot 88, while Foothill’s Jourden Brown qualified for state as an individual with a 91 to finish alone in eighth.