Local Digest: Turlock grad qualifies for U.S. Women’s Open

Turlock’s Spencer Heller will test her game on golf’s biggest stage – the U.S. Women’s Open.

Heller, a graduate of Turlock High and a four-time All-American at Sonoma State (2009-13), shot 73-71 – 144 last month and earned one of two bids available during Sectional Qualifying at Terravita Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Her reward is a berth in the 71st Open, one of the most prestigious prizes in women’s golf, July 7-10 at CordeValle south of San Jose. It marks the third time the Open has come to California and the first since 1982 at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento.

Heller, one of only three four-time All-Americans in the history of Sonoma State athletics, won the Modesto City Championship in 2010 and ’11.

Ebster wins age-group title – Modesto’s Chris Ebster won his fourth match in three days, a 2 and 1 decision over Mitchell Menzes of Angels Camp, in the boys 16-18 finals of the Junior Golf Association of Northern California Match Play Championship.

Ebster, who just finished his junior year at Gregori High, accented his round with an eagle 3 at Spring Creek Country Club’s par-5 eighth. He hit the green in two and holed a 15-foot putt.

The Ripon club again was the host of the four-day tournament, the flagship event of the JGANC season. A field of 190 was whittled down to 11 title matches in various flights Thursday.

Fresno’s Cameron DeLaere, who plays for Clovis West, took home the boys championship flight title by beating Max Meltzer of Corralitos 2 and 1. The girls championship flight winner was Jacqueline Ha of San Ramon, who defeated Gurman Kaur of Elk Grove 4 and 3.

Other boys results: 14-15, Sam Sommerhauser of Rocklin defeated Jackson Masiel of Davis 2 and 1; 12-13, Caleb Barstad of Carmel Valley defeated Aidan Tran of Fresno 2 and 1; 10-11, Julian Monas of Cameron Park defeated Jaden Dumdumaya of Fairfield 3 and 2; 7-9, Jayden Lizama of Elk Grove defeated Nicholas Le of El Dorado Hills, 11th.

Other girls results: 15-18, Natalie Kinney of El Dorado Hills defeated Jasmine Monas of Cameron Park, 19th; 12-14, Meredith McDougal of Fresno defeated Gia Feliciano of Concord 1-up; 10-11, Ellie Bushnell of Granite Bay defeated Kiara Romero of San Jose 3 and 1; 7-9, Michelle Woo of Fremont defeated Abigail Jun of Mountain View 5 and 4.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Local Digest: Turlock grad qualifies for U.S. Women’s Open."