Shipley leads Taft College men’s golf at Northern California Preview

Taft College’s men’s golf team opened its look on March 11 by competing in the Northern California Preview at Black Horse Golf Course in Monterey, CA with Brady Shipley turning in the Cougars’ top individual round at 80.

The preview, hosted by Modesto, brought together all teams from the Big Eight Conference in a 48-player field. Taft used the event as an early measuring stick on the same course that will host the Northern California Championship on May 4-5, a tournament for which the Cougars have already qualified.

Shipley’s 80 paced Taft on a day that offered favorable scoring conditions, with clear skies and temperatures reaching the mid-70s. While full team scoring and individual finishing places were not provided, Shipley’s round stood out as the best number posted by the Cougars in a competitive conference preview.

The tournament followed a practice round Sunday, giving Taft an opportunity to get familiar with Black Horse Golf Course before returning for championship play later this spring. That familiarity could prove valuable when the Cougars come back to Monterey for the two-day regional event.

With the preview complete, Taft now shifts its attention to its next outing at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy on Monday, March 23. For the Cougars, Wednesday’s round offered both a conference test and an advance look at the setting for one of the most important events on their postseason calendar.