West Ranch girls golf’s Zoe Campos may be young, but her age didn’t stand in the way on Tuesday afternoon as she took home the 2017 CIF Girls State Golf Championship title.
“I don’t think age matters,” Campos said. “I just know that everyone has to have the mental standpoint and I guess I have that now which is good and I can even improve more in the years.”
The freshman claimed the title by carding a 2-under 69 at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach. She was well ahead of the competition, as the two golfers who tied for second ended the day at 2-over.
Campos had never played at Poppy Hills before, but managed to make par on 14 holes and birdied on three holes.
“It was different from all the other courses I’ve played,” Campos said. “It was probably one of the hardest because the greens were tough and you have to be really accurate on your drive on where to hit it.”
Although she has competed in tournaments across the country (she’s headed to the AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions next week), being crowned the top varsity golfer in the state of California still had special meaning.
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“Since this is state, it’s pretty big because the best players that made it and I guess just winning it is giving me a lot of confidence,” she said.
Campos, who committed to UCLA in September, began playing golf at eight years old and honed in on her mental game early thanks to her parents and coaches.
Her objective was the same at the state tournament as it was in any other event she’s competed in.
“(My mindset) was just to really stay focused and try to keep my mind only on golf and shot by shot and hole by hole,” she said.
Campos is hoping for a top-10 finish in the upcoming Tournament of Champions, but for now, she can embrace the glory of the top honor that California high school golf has to offer.
