Team still qualifies two for section tournament
The San Benito High School girls’ golf team has never earned a
trip to the Central Coast Section. On Monday, the Lady Balers
missed making history by just a single stroke after posting a team
total of 391 in the Tri County Athletic League Tournament, which
took place at the Salinas Country Club.
Team still qualifies two for section tournament
The San Benito High School girls’ golf team has never earned a trip to the Central Coast Section. On Monday, the Lady Balers missed making history by just a single stroke after posting a team total of 391 in the Tri County Athletic League Tournament, which took place at the Salinas Country Club.
“That was one of the hardest days I’ve ever had as a coach,” said Chris Branson, the San Benito High coach. “It was really a heartbreaker to see them miss it by a single shot.”
Despite missing the section tournament the news out of Baler camp wasn’t all bad as the team’s top two players were able to qualify as individuals to the season-ending tournament.
Leading the way for the Balers was Marissa Gutierrez, who carded an 86 over the challenging, 5,578 par-72 layout. The other Baler to earn a trip to CCS was senior Katie O’ Brien, who shot a 94. In order to qualify to CCS as individuals, players had to post a score below 97 on Monday.
“Marissa had a nine on the par-4 eighth and shot a 46 on the front,” Branon said. “On the tenth tee I told her to forget about it and focus on the whole new nine ahead of her. She knuckled down and shot a 40.”
O’Brien posted nines of 46 and 48, respectively. The winning team in the TCAL tournament was Robert Louis Stevenson School, which posted a team total of 308 – 48 shots better than second-place finisher Santa Catalina. Finishing in third place was Pacific Grove (374), then San Benito (391). Rounding out the scoring was Salinas’ 392 and Gilroy’s team total of 473.
For spectators of the tournament it was no surprise to see four-time California Women’s Amateur Champion Mina Harigae earn individual medalist honors at the TCAL. Harigae fired a 2-under par 70 to win the tournament.
After Gutierrez and O’ Brien, the next low score for the Balers was posted by senior Amanda Frey, who shot a 101. Frey was followed by Jordan Archer (110), Alexis Sanchez (120) and Jordan Davies’ score of 124.
Although Davis score was higher than most, it was significant in that it marked the first time that a Baler freshman had qualified and competed in the TCAL tournament since Gutierrez was a freshman.
“They all need to be proud of themselves,” Branon said. “Despite the 6/3 rule everyone played every single one of their shots today and they never gave up.”
Under the terms of the league’s 6/3 rule, which was adopted to speed up play, all players are allowed a maximum of six shots to reach the green and once there, stop putting after hitting three putts. None of the Baler players used it on Monday.
In addition to earning trips to the CCS tournament Gutierrez and O’ Brien also learned on Monday of their selection to the league’s All-League team. Gutierrez earned First Team honors while O’Brien was named to the league’s Second Team squad.
Branon believes that both of his players will perform admirably at CCS.
“Marissa has a good chance to do really well,” he said. “Katie is in her prime right now, and she keeps getting better and better. She has really improved in the last three months.”
