2008 Mesa Women's Golf

Mesa Women Take 5th At Nationals

Covarrubias, Lutz, Gregg, and Fortuna showcase Mesa golf

A total team effort on day three of the NJCAA National Women's Golf Tournament handed Mesa and Head Coach John Guerrero a 5th place finish.

The team posted their best overall round on the final day- a 332 and held off Tyler Junior College for fifth. Day one saw the ladies shoot a solid 341. Day two was a bit more difficult for the ladies. However they did manage a 359.

Lindi Covarrubias was Mesa's highest individual finisher at seven. Her three-round 235 (77,80,78) was only ten strokes off the overall winner, Nicola Race,out of Redlands.

Jennifer Lutz finished 19th overall and shot a tournament score of 247 (81,85,81).

Brie Gregg was right on teammate Jennifer Lutz's tail, finishing tied for 20th with a 248 (83,87,78).

Kim Fortuna finished 83rd overall and had a huge third round which helped Mesa get to fifth place.

Coach Guerrero had an amazing season with these ladies and looks forward to their futures and the continued success of the Mesa golf program.

Covarrubias On Par For Full Ride At Fresno State

Diligence pays off for golfer

Lindi Covarrubias is going for her dream first, then she will make accomodations for whatever else life brings her. For now, Lindi is off to Fresno State University to play golf and study on a full ride.

In playing just six years, she resembles a pro that's been at it her entire life. Covarrubias has dominated much of her competition thus far in 2008 and helped her women's team win the last three invitationals they've played.

In fact, Covarrubias just shot a tournament record 143 (-1) at the Thunderbird Classic at Dobson Ranch. In those two rounds she shot a 74 and a 69.

"My 69 was the best I ever shot- I didn't even want to leave the course I was so excited," says Covarrubias.

Covarrubias has assisted her coach John Guerrero in junior clinics. Coach Guerrero knows Lindi's potential from seeing her on the courses the last five years.

"I've been working with Lindi ever since she picked up a club. Being a golf instructor on the side, I've been instructing Lindi for the past five years," says Guerrero."I've seen her potential and I know that she has the ability to be one of the best in the nation- period."

Coavarrubias heard from Fresno State golf coach Angie Cates in late January. Lindi had applied to Long Beach State University but LBSU had no more openings for scholarships. The golf coach at LBSU phoned Fresno State and asked if they had any interest in Covarrubias. Interest there was, and now Lindi is on her way next fall to compete against the best in the nation.

"I've always known she's a D-1 player and that she has the physical ability to be the best in the country," says Guerrero.

Covarrubias will study kinesiology at Fresno and hopes to make the LPGA tour someday. She also offers some advice to young golfers everywhere- believe in yourself.

One thing's for sure, Covarrubias has made believers out of her regional competition and the good folks at Fresno State.

Ladies Win Host Meet

3rd in a row as women capture T-Bird Classic

The Mesa CC women's golf team captured their 3rd team title in a row by winning their own Lady Thunderbird Classic held at Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa.  The Lady Thunderbirds fired their best 36- hole tournament score of the year (323-321-644) and outdistanced runner-up Paradise Valley CC by six strokes (650). 

Fresno State-bound Lindi Covarrubias set a new 36 hole tournament record firing 74-69-143 (-1 under par) over the 6,056 yard layout and captured medalist honors.  Covarrubias' feat broke a six- year- old record set by 02' Mesa alum and former Arizona State standout Beatriz Conti of Venezuela (147).  

Sophomores Brie Gregg (77-79-156) and Grand Canyon University-bound Jennifer Lutz (79-79-158) continue to pile up top five finishes by placing 4th and 5th respectively. 

Freshman Kim Fortuna (187) continues to improve throughout the year placing 16th. 

"We are making positive steps in the right direction each tournament we play.  Our goal is to be playing our best golf at our national tournament and we're working hard to do so.  It's always nice to improve and win at the same time.  I'm proud of the girls," said Coach Guerrero. 

The Lady Thunderirds will next participate Mar.19 at Dobson Ranch GC in "The Tri Match" where the Lady T-birds will lock horns with two four- year universities from Illinois, Carthage College and North Central College.

Women Capture Second Straight Victory

Edge PVCC by two strokes to win Gateway Invitational

The Lady Thunderbirds have captured their 2nd team title of 2008 and 28th in school history with a two-stroke win at the Gateway Invitational held at Papago GC in Phoenix, AZ.  Mesa CC fired rounds of 354-340-694 to finish ahead of runner-up Paradise Valley CC.  Lindi Covarrubias (163) won her second consecutive individual championship as fellow teammates Brie Gregg and Jennifer Lutz again finshed 2nd and 3rd respectively.  Fastly improving freshman Kim Fortuna had her best finish to date with a 14th place finish.  The Lady Thunderbirds are looking to make it three wins in a row as they play host to the 2008 Lady Thunderbird Classic held at Dobson Ranch GC on Mar. 10-11 in Mesa, AZ. 

Lady Golfers Win Pima Invitational

Covarrubias and Gregg lead way

The Mesa CC women's golf team captured their first win of 2008 at the Pima CC Invitational at Fred Enke GC in Tucson, AZ on February 19 & 20.  The Lady T-Birds fired rounds of 347-345 for a 692 total to finish two strokes ahead of host school Pima CC (694).  Sophmore Lindi Covarrubias won her 4th victory as a Thunderbird firing rounds of 79-80-159 for a five-stroke victory over fellow teammate Brie Gregg (164).  The Mesa ladies made it a clean sweep of the top three with sophmore Jennifer Lutz finshing 3rd at 166. 

Women Take Runners-Up At Cactus Thaw

Covarrubias leads with back-to-back 80's

The MCC Women's golf team finished runner-up to host school WNMU in the five-team women's division.  The Lady Thunderbirds were led by sophmores Lindi Covarrubias (80-80-160) who finished 3rd and Brie Gregg (82-83-165) who finshed 5th as individuals.  Jennifer Lutz (8th-168) also finished in the top 10.  Mesa CC was the only two- year college competing in the event. 

Women's Golf Spring 2008 Season Outlook

Head Coach John Guerrero Optimistic

Jennifer Lutz, Brie Gregg, and Lindi Covarrubias anchor the returnees for the 2008 team. All eyes will be on these three ladies in addition to newcomer Kim Fortuna out of Mesa.

Play begins February 4-5 at the Paradise Valley Invite at Cave Creek Golf Course at 10:30 a.m. Mesa will host a Tri-Match Shootout on March 17 at a site yet to be determined.

Nationals take place in Daytona Beach, FL. at Halifax Plantation Golf Course May 10-15.

Women’s Golf Spring 2007

The MCC Women’s golf team did not win their Conference in 2006 for the first time in the seven years that John Guerrero has been the coach. It didn’t take long to rectify that situation.

Going into 2007 Regional play, the Lady Thunderbirds are the top team in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and in Region 1 of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

They have won four of the invitational tournaments on their schedule and finished second in three. In Lindi Covarrubias, they have the ACCAC Player of the Year, the top player in the Region, and the #8-ranked female golfer in the country. She has been averaging 75.6 strokes per round, and Coach Guerrero says her strengths are in her long game and irons and that she otherwise has no weaknesses in her game.

“She is a Division 1-caliber golfer who was one of the top players in the State in both her junior and senior years at Dobson High School,” he states. “We are definitely happy to have her.”

Jennifer Lutz ranks #5 in the Conference and has a 79.4 average.  Kendra Gregory and Hillary Jones both shoot in the mid-80s. Coach Guerrero commends the players’ work ethic and the pride they take in representing Mesa Community College. The goal of the team is always to make the national tournament which this year will again be played in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Please contact The Athletics Department for comments or corrections phone: 480-461-7542