NOT COUNTRY-CLUB BRED CORLESS HAS LED QUARTZ HILL TO TOP OF GOLDEN LEAGUE.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Cassie Corless didn't grow up on a country club. However, because the Golden League implemented girls' golf in 1999 - it was originally sanctioned by CIF in 1998 - Corless competes against girls who did.

The 1999 and 2000 league individual champion, Corless has represented Quartz Hill High at the Southern Section team and individual championships each of the past two years.

Corless led Quartz Hill to its first outright league title this season - the Rebels were co-champions with Highland in 1999 and finished second last season - and will showcase her talent outside the High Desert on Monday at the Southern Section team championships at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo. Second-place Highland will represent the league in Camarillo as well.

She won't compete at the Southern Section individuals this year because only the top-two finishers in the league individual tournament qualify. Corless finished third at the league championships, shooting a combined 200 at the two-day tournament, which was held at Crystalaire CC in Llano and Rancho Vista GC. Highland's Melissa Kreykes won the individual title, shooting a combined 182. Quartz Hill's Elaine Carlton shot a 187.

Corless said competing outside the Antelope Valley, where many have been competing in golf their whole lives, is a challenge for High Desert golfers.

``They're so good,'' she said. ``All these girls shoot like par, some even shoot a little below par. You just have to settle yourself down and play your game just like any other match.''

Corless had played recreationally with her father and grandfather growing up in Lancaster, but never competitively until her sophomore year.

She may not be among the top golfers in the Southern Section, which features some of the most highly regarded girls' golfers in the nation; however, Corless has picked up the sport remarkably quickly. A talented multisport athlete, she's an all-league catcher on the Rebels softball team and also plays on the basketball team. She'll have 11 varsity letters when she graduates this spring.

``It's very impressive,'' Quartz Hill golf coach Stuart Manthey said of how fast she's picked up the game. ``She's just a natural athlete. It seems like whatever she does, she does well.''

Corless has developed all the tools she'll need to compete at the collegiate level. She can drive the ball up to 240 yards consistently and has a polished short-game as well.

``It's a unique combination to have her power and also her touch,'' Manthey said. ``Most of the girls I've seen have one or the other. Either they can't hit the ball far but they're good at putting and chipping, or if they can hit the ball far, they can't putt and chip well. Cassie's the only one out here I know who can do both.''

Earlier this season, Corless established a league record, shooting a 5-over 41 at Rancho Vista Golf Course.

``It was really amazing for me,'' Corless said. ``It was something I'd worked really hard for and I was really excited even though at the time I thought I could have done better.''

However, despite her success in golf, she's uncertain whether she'll compete at the collegiate level. Corless has received recruiting letters from Pepperdine and Chico State for golf and Purdue for softball. She's leaning toward softball, a decision that would surely disappoint some of her younger teammates who are in awe of her golfing talent.

``She'll definitely go pro someday,'' freshman Stephanie O'Neal said, ``I think she will.''

Corless was at first reluctant to take up golf. She played on the freshman volleyball team her first year at Quartz Hill, and playing golf meant giving up a sport she loved, even though she says she's not very good at it. Her mother encouraged her to try out for the golf team - even though it coincides with volleyball - because of the tremendous scholarship opportunities available as a result of Title IX.

Although she missed volleyball her sophomore year, as she became a more successful golfer she enjoyed the sport more, and has no regrets.

``It doesn't seem that cool, being on the golf team,'' she said. ``People always ask me, `Why are you playing golf?' But it's been one of the greatest experiences for me in high school. We have so much fun. We're always laughing, telling jokes and having the times of our lives out there.

``I've also learned a lot about myself. It's taught me not to care that much about what people think.''

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(color) Cassie Corless and her fellow Quartz Hill golfers will compete at the Southern Section team championships in Camarillo on Monday.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer