Just one stroke. In the end, that’s all that separated the San
Benito Lady ‘Balers from qualifying as a team to next week’s
Central Coast Section Finals.
Salinas – Just one stroke.
In the end, that’s all that separated the San Benito Lady ‘Balers from qualifying as a team to next week’s Central Coast Section Finals.
Needing a team score of 390 at Monday’s Tri-County Athletic League Finals at the Salinas Golf and Country Club, the Lady ‘Balers compiled a 391.
“It was a long ride home for a very short distance,” coach Chris Branon said.
Branon said going in to Monday’s final that as many as five teams had a chance at a CCS berth. Three teams qualified (Stevenson, Santa Catalina and Pacific Grove), while San Benito and Salinas, with a team score of 392, fell just short.
“It was one of those grind deals,” Branon said. “As a coach, you want them to succeed, but at that moment, there’s absolutely nothing you can do, and that’s difficult.”
As a silver lining, the Lady ‘Balers did qualify two individuals, as Marissa Gutierrez and Katie O’Brien each made the cut of 97 by shooting an 86 and a 94, respectively, at the Salinas golf course.
The two will play in the CCS Finals on Monday at the Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel, slated to begin at 8 a.m.
Missing the cut by one stroke, however, was tough for San Benito, and Branon said it was “a little more salt on the wound” being so close.
“But they should be proud of themselves,” the coach said. “We knew coming in that the 390 was achievable, but it was going to be close.
“Overall, they never gave up. They knew going in, if you have a bad hole, you have to forget it, and none of them gave up. They didn’t throw the flag in.”
Individually, Amanda Frey carded a 101, Jordan Archer recorded a 110, Alexis Sanchez shot a 120 and Jordan Davies finished the day with a 124.
The Salinas Golf and Country Club is listed as a par 72, measuring 5,587 yards.
Mina Harigae of Robert Louis Stevenson medaled the round with a 70.
RLS was crowned TCAL Champions after compiling a 308 Monday, while Santa Catalina (356) and Pacific Grove (374) will be joining RLS at Monday’s final. Salinas (392), Watsonville (458), Gilroy (473), Notre Dame (486) and Monte Vista Christian (525) rounded out the TCAL teams. Everett Alvarez competed with only three players, and did not receive a score.
“What they haven’t learned is the experience they just received,” Branon said. “But our year is not over with Marissa and Katie going to CCS.”
Coaches selected an all-league team as well on Monday, and Gutierrez was chosen to the six-member first team in the TCAL. O’Brien, who will make her first appearance to the CCS, was selected to the seven-member second team.
Branon commented on his seniors, which include Gutierrez, O’Brien, Archer and Frey.
“I’m saddened to the point where they as a group don’t get the opportunity to go to CCS, but at the same time, the four seniors who are graduating should be proud of not only their accomplishments on the golf course, but their contributions to the program as well,” Branon said. “We’ve got the program going in the right direction and they’re responsible for that.
“They should be proud of themselves.”
