PHS sinks Granite Hills

“Fore!” is not something a golfer wants to hear on any course.

Unfortunately for Porterville’s Erika Hudson, the painful effects of what can happen when a ball is hit off target were felt by the Panther Thursday afternoon at Porterville Municipal Golf Course.

With Granite Hills hosting PHS, Hudson was cruising along until the third hole. As she watched another player from her group set up for a shot, a ball hit by another golfer sailed wide and struck Hudson right above her left eye.

“I got smacked by the ball,” she said. “I put my hand down and my eyebrow was sliced open.”

Hudson, who originally went home after the incident, was later taken to the hospital.

“It was fine at first, but when I got home I couldn’t see anymore,” Hudson said. “I think it was just the lighting of the room.”

With the Panthers (3-3) winning via forfeit over GHHS, and Monache anxiously awaiting next Tuesday, hopefully the incentive will heal Hudson’s shiner quickly.

“I think all the hard work and dedication that my young girls have put into their golf game has paid off and we’re winning some games,” Porterville coach David Herrera said. “They’re doing great, they’re hitting the ball hard and they’re getting better every week.”

For Porterville, Alexandria Aiello completed seven holes with a 50, Dedra Devine finished seven holes with a 52, Whitney Rodriguez finished four holes with a 29 and Elvira Ceballos completed four holes with a 33.

Throughout the day, Aiello managed several nice shots, including a pitch out of the sand trap on No. 4 and a long-range archer hit over the creek on No. 5.

“I actually played really good today,” Aiello said. “I was hitting some of the best shots I’ve hit this entire year.”

For Granite Hills (0-4), Alexandra Williams finished seven holes with a 49, Christina Guajaca completed seven holes with a 58, Taylor Means finished four holes with a 31 and Mary Ramirez completed four holes with a 38.

“They did good. They hit the ball pretty consistently,” Grizzlies coach Richard Boyd said. “We got a par out of one of our girls (Means on No. 2). That was the highlight of the day.”

Ramirez, playing for her first time on Thursday, looked to have much potential if she continues to pursue golf.

“I wanted to try a different sport, something new,” the junior Ramirez said. “I really enjoyed it today. Hopefully I’ll get better.”

As Porterville plays host to MHS next Tuesday at River Island, Granite Hills will meet with Lindsay on the same day at the municipal golf course.

“It’s looking up,” Herrera said. “We’re going to be after those other teams.”