What a difference a year makes for OCC

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women’s golf program seemed

destined for cancellation last year. There were only two players on

the team, and men’s golf coach Barry Wallace was playing catch-up, as

he took over for Gordie Fitzel, who retired.

However, Athletic Director Fred Hokanson and his administration

made the decision to keep the program alive. The Pirates competed in

matches last year, but they did not score. One year later, OCC

women’s golf has returned. And, this time the Pirates will score.

They have a full squad, and Wallace is excited about the season.

“The administration made a great choice in keeping the program,”

said Wallace, a fixture at OCC, where he began the men’s soccer

program in 1978 and has coached baseball, soccer and badminton and

golf, and was the athletic director. “The school kept it going with

the idea that we would promote it in the future. We’re looking for

good things in the future.”

Wallace said he expects the women’s golf program to improve in

participation numbers. He experienced the same problem with his men’s

team, but that situation has been resolved.

Wallace never has a problem with his men’s team’s numbers. Plus,

the OCC women’s team is already starting to show improvements this

year.

The Pirates will mostly feature Marilyn Pope, a freshman who is a

member of the Newport Beach Country Club member, as their No. 1

player.

“She shot in the 70s in the qualifying round (last) week,” Wallace

said. “She’s very intelligent. I expect her to be in the top group of

the conference.”

Aside from Pope, there are six more freshmen, and sophomore Diane

Valoff, who is the only returner from last year’s “team.”

“We are young,” Wallace said. “We are going to be competitive and

we’re going to have fun.”