San Marcos boys golf came out on top over Santa Barbara High in a battle of undefeated Channel League squads on Thursday at Sandpiper Golf Course.
The Royals came together for a team score of 373, while the Dons finished the day at 400 on the par-72 course.
“I feel like all the guys played really well today in our crosstown match against SB,” San Marcos head coach Jeff Ashton said. “We were missing a key contributor in our lineup, Axl Wedhammar, and the other guys all stepped up to earn a great team win today.”
Andy Keenan continued his standout season for San Marcos by shooting a two-under-par 70 to lead all golfers and pull in the match medalist honors.
Fellow Royal Austin Downing also had a strong day with an even-par 72, Nate Duva shot a 73, Ethan Klawuhn ended at 77 and Adam Kabaretti rounded out the top five with his score of 81.
“I was super proud of the guys for rising to the moment and playing well in a big match,” Ashton said. “We’ve had guys working on some things and going through various swing changes, injuries, ups and downs, but they all were able to put it together today and secure us a big league win.”
As for the Dons, Alex Ortega stayed hot with a one-over-par 73 to lead the Dons, and he was followed by Peyton Webley (80), Jack Alzina (81), Tyler Satterberg (83), Logan Gankas (83) amnd Dimitri Tar (92).
“Our team kept grinding and persevering all round, but couldn’t keep pace with the deep squad and well-coached Royals team,” Santa Barbara High head coach Ryan Throop said. “The Dons will get back out there and work on their games to strive to get better at this challenging game.”
San Marcos, now 5-0 in league play, will take on Ventura High in another league match on Tuesday. The Dons, 4-1 in Channel League, are set to take on Pacifica on Tuesday.
Dos Pueblos 379, Buena 413
The Chargers delivered a season-best performance at home as they celebrated Senior Day with a win over the Bulldogs on Thursday at Glen Annie Golf Course.
Dos Pueblos celebrated the senior class of Orlando Ramirez-Gijon, Colt Roberts, Jonathan Yang, Coulter Jay and Parker Hickman.
“Tonight we celebrated a very great group of seniors, and it was very bittersweet,” Dos Pueblos head coach Kevin Ahlers said. “I want to wish them the best in their future on and off the course.
“The result reflected both experience and momentum, as veteran leaders and emerging talent combined to produce one of the team’s most complete rounds of the year.”
Despite it being Senior Day, freshman Connor Nightingale took center stage and shot a one-under-par 70 to lead all Charger golfers.
He was closely followed by Ramirez-Gijon (73), Roberts (75), Yang (80), Jay (81) and Hickman (83).
Dos Pueblos is now 14-5 overall and 4-1 against Channel League opponents.
Laguna Blanca 216, St. Bonaventure 216 (Laguna Wins Tie-Breaker)
The Owls pulled out a dramatic Tri-Valley League victory over the Seraphs on Thursday.
After nine holes of play, the top five golfers from each side each ended with a combined score of 216. The match was then determined by the sixth golfer, and Laguna Blanca came out on top by just one stroke.
Harry Ryan was the top performer for the Owls, earning medalist honors with his score of 39.
He was joined by teammates Gus Graham (40), Max Miller (44) and Barrett McKnight (44).
“The improvement of the boys golf team under the leadership of Valerie Yoshimura has been amazing,” Laguna Blanca athletic director Dan Peeters said.
Bishop Diego 397, Westlake 412
The Cardinals earned a non-league win over Westlake on Thursday in Thousand Oaks.
Bishop Diego (10-2-1) will now take on Grace on Tuesday at Santa Barbara Golf Club, with the winner taking home the Tri-Valley League title.
“The boys came out ready to play, and came through with their best score as a team on the season, getting them ready for their league championship match on Tuesday,” Bishop Diego head coach Leo Ibarra said.
The Eliassen twins led the way for the Cardinals, as Luke carded a 75 and Jack came in just behind him at 76.
The rest of the Bishop Diego golfers were Williams Scribner (78), Ben Zoltoski (83) and Gabe Villa (85).