As has become customary, Irvine Valley freshman golfer Nicole Rivera earned medalist honors by playing the last 13 holes at one under par for a final score of 76 in an Orange Empire Conference match on Monday at Oak Creek in Irvine.

In conference competition, Rivera has been the medalist or co-medalist in all except one match. That match was when she finished second to sophomore teammate Sam Roberts.

Rivera shined again on Monday, but in fact, it was Tiffany Kane who set the pace for her teammates by parring seven of the first nine holes for a 39 at Oak Creek.
She scored 40 on the last nine holes to post the second best score of the match.

It was the former Newport High standout's first conference score in the 70's.

Roberts posted a round of 82 on Monday.

One Santiago Canyon score of 80 prevented the IVC team from sweeping the top three spots in the individual results on Monday.

For the day, Kane had 12 pars, four bogeys and two double bogys. Kane's personal best round featured solid ball striking and tee shots that left her in position to go for the green. She putted well on all except hole - number one, which was a lengthy three-putt , and hole number 10 where she lipped out twice to four-putt.

"I am pleased with Tiffany's work ethic and enthusiasm. She has been a perfect teammate and a joy to work with," IVC Coach Ben Burnett said. 

Rivera struggled through four of the first five holes.

It included a three-putt bogey on the par 5 first hole and then a triple bogey on the par 3 second hole.

"Nicole Rivera is a true warrior during a competition," Burnett said. "Nicole's opening nine-hole score of 42 would depress many of her fellow competitors. Her three birdies on the final nine holes for a subpar score of 34 earned her the medalist honors by three strokes over teammate Tiffany Kane.
"The players and coaches on the other teams admire her play and recognize her as the score to try to beat in every conference match." 

Rivera's round of 76 included three birdies, nine pars, five bogeys and a triple bogey.

Roberts finished strong on the final nine holes to post her score of 82. After an opening nine-hole score of 44, Roberts finished the final nine holes with a solid score of 38. Her round of 82 included eight pars, nine bogeys and a double bogey.

"Sam is recognized by her competitors, as one of the best because of her ability to avoid disasterous scores on a given hole," Coach Burnett said. "Today's round gives a good example of what I mean. Sam's one double bogey was because she was unlucky with her ball position in a greenside bunker on hole numer 6. She made a wise decision to declare the ball to be in an unplayable lie.
"Sam paid the one stroke penalty and she dropped the ball as required within two clublengths, still in the sand.
"Sam splashed the ball out of the bunker and two putts later had her only double bogey."

Santiago Canyon had a best team score of 331.

IVC's next conference match in on Monday at El Prado in Chino. It is a five-team conference contest.

"We will continue our goal of seeing all three players earn spots in the conference finals and be recognized as members of the all-conference Team. Nicole Rivera continues to lead the competitors in the challenge to earn the conference Player of the Year recognition."