Raiders’ squad goals

Revitalized Moorpark College squad had only two golfers last season




CHANNELING HAPPY GIRLMORE—Georgia Shevitt, an Oak Park High graduate, stars for the Moorpark College women’s golf team. Photos by BOBBY CURTIS/Acorn Newspapers

CHANNELING HAPPY GIRLMORE—Georgia Shevitt, an Oak Park High graduate, stars for the Moorpark College women’s golf team. Photos by BOBBY CURTIS/Acorn Newspapers

Georgia Shevitt swings a mean driver for the Raiders, but she’s an Eagle at heart.

Shevitt, a freshman standout for the Moorpark College women’s golf team, donned an Oak Park High girls’ golf hat before teeing off for a Western State Conference match at Simi Hills Golf Course on Oct. 23.

Shevitt warmed up with teammate Brooke Logsdon, a former Royal High standout.

“ We were rivals in high school,” Logsdon said of Shevitt. “It’s funny being on the same team. We feel like we should still be rivals.”

‘I WANT THE WHOLE THING’—Moorpark College golfer Natalie Salas, a Royal High grad, tees off at Simi Hills Golf Course on Oct. 23.

‘I WANT THE WHOLE THING’—Moorpark College golfer Natalie Salas, a Royal High grad, tees off at Simi Hills Golf Course on Oct. 23.

The Raiders spent three seasons going head-to-head during Coastal Canyon League matches in high school.

Shevitt and Logsdon excel for Moorpark College.

They’ve also joined forces with former local golf standouts Natalie Salas, a Royal graduate; Carissa Christianson (Camarillo); and Erica Zaragoza (Rio Mesa). Aileen Amezcua graduated from Buena.

Former foes are now friends, but it took time to shed the hostility.

Shevitt and Logsdon said they were even hesitant to share tips or ask each other for advice at the beginning of the season.

“Once we got used to it, it was nice to have them on the team,” Shevitt said.

Just three years ago, the Raiders didn’t even field a women’s golf team.

Moorpark College brought the program back in 2015 after women’s golf fell victim to budget cuts in 2008.

Will Thurston, Moorpark’s third-year head coach who had previously coached football, softball and golf at the college, was chosen to lead the renaissance.

The program had a full lineup in its first season back, but there were only two golfers last season.

Logsdon, the team’s lone returner, now plays with five freshmen on a retooled lineup.

“It’s not spectacular, but if we keep working at it, it’ll happen,” Thurston said. “I’m pleased with how we’re making progress. We have a couple of solid girls that have been playing all year long. They’re ambitious.”

Moorpark, which opened conference action with a third-place finish at Buena Ventura Golf Course on Aug. 28, sits in fourth place in the conference behind Santa Barbara, College of the Canyons and Citrus. Bakersfield, Antelope Valley and Glendale are also in the conference.

The Raiders travel to Kern River Golf Course for conference finals on Oct. 29 and 30.

Shevitt, a business major, has carded the Raiders’ lowest score in all but one conference match.

She said playing on familiar courses has helped her game.

“It’s nice we’re able to have a team here close to home because it’s 20 minutes from my house,” she said. “I don’t have to go very far, and I know all the golf courses that we play.”

Shevitt’s looking to transfer out of state after her sophomore year at Moorpark.

Logsdon, who works at Simi Hills Golf Course, had her best outing (83) on Sept. 11 at Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Course.

She plans to play golf at Cal Lutheran or Cal State Monterey Bay next season.

Salas, who helped Royal win its first Coastal Canyon League title last fall, has shot in the 80s twice during conference action. Zaragoza shot her best conference round (91) on Oct. 5. Christianson has also played well throughout the season.

The locals have kept Moorpark near the middle of the pack. Thurston said he believes the Raiders will continue shredding golf courses this season.

“I’m really happy with the players we have on the team,” the coach said, “but I know there’s room for improvement in this program.”

The Raiders in a nutshell

The Moorpark College women’s golf team, loaded with former local prep standouts in Acorn country, is in fourth place in the Western State Conference. The Raiders enter the conference-finals on Oct. 29 and 30 at Kern River Golf Course.

Head coach

• Will Thurston

Golfers

• Carissa Christianson, freshman, Camarillo High graduate

• Brooke Logsdon, sophomore, Royal

• Natalie Salas, freshman, Royal

• Georgia Shevitt, freshman, Oak Park

Erica Zaragoza, freshman, Rio Mesa

• Aileen Amezcua, freshman, Buena