Thursday, Jun. 19, 2008

Other golfing Martinez - Shawnee - is making a name for herself

RIPON -- Modesto's Shawnee Martinez, the younger sister of former Northern California high school champion Marina Martinez, is beginning to make a name for herself.

Martinez, 14, reached today's girls final of the JGANC/NCPGA Championships at Spring Creek Country Club. The incoming Enochs High freshman won two matches Wednesday, defeating Alexandra Sborov of Pleasanton 3 and 1 and then two-putting for par at the 16th to close out Linda Brown of San Leandro 4 and 2.

Martinez, who won her second River Oaks Junior Match Play Championship earlier this year, will meet Briana Mao of Folsom at 8:10 a.m. in the 18-hole title match. Mao stopped Ashley Noda of Roseville 2-up in the semifinals.

In the boys championship flight, Modesto's Daniel Covrig -- the tournament's medalist in stroke-play qualifying -- fell to Bryson De Chambeau of Clovis 1-up in the semifinals. Covrig, who defeated Conner Penfold of Elk Grove 1-up in the morning, won the 16th and 17th before halving the 18th against De Chambeau.

De Chambeau, the son of former Spring Creek assistant pro Jon De Chambeau, faces Cody Robinson of Discovery Bay in the boys final.

Paul Smith of Turlock advanced to the 14-15 final after he defeated J.T. Smart of Fresno 3 and 1. Andrew Bonner of Ripon was beaten by Daniel Frantz of Red Bluff 2 and 1 in the 12-13 semifinals.