The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach golf is sponsored by Dan and Desiree Gooch.
Long Beach Poly freshman Loren Fearance immediately put her stamp on the Long Beach golf scene this year, with accomplishments and poise well beyond her years.
Fearence immediately became the best Moore League girls’ golfer when this season started, and after some impressive rounds along the way, she capped her first high school regular season by winning the individual league championship at Skylinks Golf Course.
Fearence is the first Jackrabbit to win the title since Jamie Gracie in 2012, is only the second ever freshman to win the three-round tournament and is a woman of color.
“She’s Filipino and African American, so it’s almost like the next Tiger Woods almost, right?” said Carmen Salazar, Fearence’s mother.
“I know it’s a big thing for Poly to bring that back so I’m honored to be in that role today,” said Fearence. “It’s just the dedication and the work that I’ve put in. Not even just this season, but my whole golf career. Like half of my life. A lot of that is thanks to my mom, my grandpa, my coaches and just the whole community (of Long Beach) in general.”
After carding a total even-par 75 across the first two rounds, nine holes each at El Dorado Park and Recreation Park golf courses, Fearence shot an impressive 69 at Skylinks. Her 3-under final round included three birdies and no bogeys.
Fearance was not only successful at the league level, she qualified through the CIF-SS individual tournament to make the cut for the CIF State individual tournament as well, where she’s sure to be a force for the next three years.
Fearance is no stranger to winning—three years before starting her league championship freshman journey at Poly, she was the 11 year old winner at the SCPGA Jr. Tour Summer Series Championship.
