Grade: Senior

He’s qualified because: Nate Jessup was the only golfer from the Central Section to compete in the state championships. Finished fourth in his third trip to the Southern California Regional after shooting a 6-under 66. Won the Central Section individual championship, Central Area tournament and East Yosemite League tournament. Will continue playing at Fresno State.

She said it: “He’s very focused when he plays and when he hits the ball, it goes a long ways. I really do think he was the best in the section. He outplayed most kids in the Valley, even in the summer tournaments. He’s going to be a valuable asset to Fresno State next year and the years to come.” — Porterville coach Lynn Enos

Nate Jessup had seen enough.

His putting was poor and it was wasting his strong and steady ball striking.

So the Porterville High senior made some midseason adjustments, most notably lowering his grip on his right-handed putting.

And what happened after was a run no other golfer in the area could match.

Jessup went on to become the only Central Section golfer to reach the state tournament. He took fourth the Southern California Regional. And he captured wins at the Central Section individual championships, Central Area tournament and East Yosemite League tournament.

Because of his dominant run, Jessup was named The Fresno Bee's Player of the Year.

"Everything felt more comfortable after those adjustments, and I'm a 'feel' player so I needed that," Jessup said. "I was pretty happy with my game most of the year. I kept the balls in fairways, didn't worry about what else was going on and just found ways to get it done."

Fresno State golf coach Mike Watney noticed, too, and offered Jessup a scholarship last fall to lock up an early commitment from the Porterville native.

Porterville coach Lynn Enos said she believes Fresno State will be thoroughly impressed with its incoming recruit.

"I don't think he'll play No. 1 right away, but eventually, he will be their No. 1," Enos said. "Nate's strong, consistent, knows how to stay focused, doesn't let big moments get to him. His skills have matured."

Though Jessup ended his season by shooting an 8-over 80 in the state tournament at the Santa Maria Country Club, he did four have a run of four straight postseason rounds shooting under par.

Jessup shot 6-under 66 at the CIF Southern California Regional, 4-under 68 to win the Central Section individual championship, 1-under 71 at the section team tournament and 3-under 69 to capture the Central Area tournament.

Jessup, who also played basketball for the Panthers, said he was most proud of reaching state after qualifying for the regional two other times but missing the state cut.

But what still bothers Jessup most was how Porterville missed a chance to reach the regional as a team after finishing third in the Central Section team tournament (only the two top teams advanced).

"I just know, the whole experience would have been more fun if my teammates were there, too," Jessup said. "Overall, though, it was a great career. I had a blast being able to play golf with good friends for four years.

"I'm excited to see how my game will grow in college."