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ALL-COUNTY GIRLS GOLF TEAM 2025
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Donina Zhou, Santa Margarita, Jr.
Santa Margarita golfer Donina Zhou was known for her consistent play this fall but how she responded to one of her lowest moments became part of her legacy.
At the CIF-SCGA Southern California Regional, she carded a 3-over-par 77 at Los Serranos Golf Club.
For the first time, Zhou recalled, her 18-hole score was too high to contribute to the Eagles’ final tally.
While disappointed with her individual play, the junior celebrated Santa Margarita’s first-place finish and focused on her teammates’ assessment that her rare slip was nothing to worry about.
“They were like, ‘It’s one tournament, you’ll be fine,’ ” Zhou recalled. “It was very reassuring for me.”
Zhou’s even-keeled reaction paid major dividends at the CIF State championships.
Zhou shot a 3-under 68 at Poppy Hills Golf Course to tie for second at state and lead Santa Margarita to a third title in four seasons.
After finishing as Orange County’s top individual at state for the third consecutive season, Zhou credited for success to her teammates.
“I didn’t want to let down my team,” she said. “We’re all pretty easy going. Since there’s no drama, and we spend so much time together, it just comes very naturally that we’re all super close.”
Zhou, who is committed to Princeton, led Santa Margarita in scoring average for 9 and 18 holes.
At the CIF-SS Division 1 final, she and teammate Angelina Tao each carded 5-under 69s as the Eagles won the title at Los Serranos.
Zhou also was the county’s top finisher as the CIF-SS individual finals by tying for third with another 69 at Temecula Creek Golf Club.
“Donina had another remarkable season,” Santa Margarita coach Jill Hegna said.
Zhou delivered her consistent play after undergoing a swing change under private coach Angel Martinez at the beginning of the campaign.
While motivated by her teammates and playing in college, Zhou said her father Zhou Zhou is another source of inspiration.
Zhou, 16, said her father introduced her to golf, which she began playing in the first grade.
“He’s a big source of motivation for me and I definitely go to him for a lot of advice about golf,” she said. “There were a few setbacks in the middle (of the season for our team) but I think everyone locked in for state and we were able to perform to our potential there.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jon Pang, Northwood
In his first season, Northwood’s Jon Pang built off a strong foundation set by former Northwood coach Zach Halop to guide the Timberwolves to an undefeated regular season, a fourth-place finish in CIF-SS Division 1 and sixth place in the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional.
It was Northwood’s third consecutive appearance in the regional.
“Our success stems from the high standards that have been established at Northwood for many years by coach Zach Halop, who I was fortunate to succeed,” Pang said.
Pang blended a roster featuring senior captains Jio Yoo and Zoe Yan and strong freshmen Moyu Wang and Sarah Ro. Yoo, who is committed to UC Irvine, recorded five birdies en route to a 4-under-par 70 at the Division 1 finals at Los Serranos Golf Club.
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
Donina Zhou, Santa Margarita, Jr.: The Orange County player of the Year.
Jude Lee, Orange Lutheran, Sr.: The 2024 Orange County player of the year and Stanford signee won the Trinity League individual title by carding rounds of 69 and 68 for an 11-under-par score of 137.
Nora Qu, Santa Margarita, So.: Qu shot a 1-under-par 70 to tie for seventh in the CIF State championships at Poppy Hills Golf Course.
Annika Raja, Santa Margarita, So.: Raja tied for 20th at the state championships with a 2-over-par 73.
Emily Song, Santa Margarita, Jr.: Song posted the Eagles’ lowest score at the CIF SoCal Regional with a 4-under-par 70 and tied for 11th at state with an even-par 71. Song, who is committed to Yale, finished as the Trinity League runner-up and won the Southern individual regional.
Angelina Tao, Santa Margarita, Sr.: Tao, who is committed to Dartmouth, shot a 2-under-par 72 at the regional to help lead the Eagles to the title. She also scored at state to become a three-time champion.
Audrey Zhao, Sage Hill, So.: Zhao recorded six birdies en route to a 4-under-par 70 at the regional to qualify for state.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
Chloe Ahn, Woodbridge, So.
Madelyn Cheng, Santa Margarita, So.
Chloe Chien, Crean Lutheran, Jr.
Lindy Gan, University, So.
Gabrielle Kim, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
Katie Park, Orange Lutheran, So.
Jio Yoo, Northwood, Sr.