Chris Zubiaga said,
”
Luck was with us today.
”
Hollister High boys golf coach Mitch Thomas was more blunt when
he said,
”
We’re lucky to be alive.
”
CARMEL VALLEY – Chris Zubiaga said, “Luck was with us today.” Hollister High boys golf coach Mitch Thomas was more blunt when he said, “We’re lucky to be alive.”
Thanks to a strong regular season, the Balers survived and moved on with a second-place finish in the final Tri-County Athletic League standings. The Balers sweated out the final hour of Tuesday’s T-CAL Tournament at Quail Lodge Country Club in Carmel Valley as teams such as Gilroy and Salinas threatened to spoil the Balers’ advancement to the Central Coast Section tournament.
Hollister entered the league tournament tied with Palma with 17 points. Gilroy and Salinas had 20.5 and 21 points, respectively.
The Cowboys actually won the T-CAL with a four-player total of 311. The Chieftains were next at 315 with the Mustangs taking third at 316. The Balers placed fourth at 321.
Thomas and the Balers, who weren’t sure of how the final standings would come down, we’re relieved, but not thrilled.
“I’m disappointed in the way we played today,” said Thomas. “I feel sorry for Ian Hudson and John Dempsey, who missed out on all-league. They played their way out of it. It’s too bad because those two played well all year.”
Hudson was third in the all-league race at the start of Tuesday’s round on the par-71 course. Dempsey was sixth. Unfortunately, Hudson carded an uncharacteristic 90, while Dempsey had an 82. Neither golfer was happy post-round.
“I didn’t feel comfortable today,” said Hudson. “Nothing was going good for me. Not any of it.”
“My mind was on stuff going on at school,” said Dempsey. “I should have played better. I couldn’t keep it steady.”
The top Baler was sophomore Zach Zgragen, who came home with a 75. Had the Balers not qualified for CCS, Zgragen probably would have qualified as an individual.
“I’ve played solid all year,” said Zgragen, who had five birdies. “I felt it was very important for me to play well today. The first hole was probably the toughest.”
Besides Dempsey, Matt Lopez and Zubiaga also shot 82. Daniel Rivera had an 86.
“The greens were fast,” said Rivera. “I didn’t play very good.”
Lopez had a super finish, parring out from No. 14. He shot 40 on the front nine, but suffered three double bogeys added to a par on Nos. 10-13.
The Balers must take their second life to the CCS regional tournament Monday at Rancho Canada West, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Rancho Canada West is just two miles west of Quail Lodge.
“We’re going to have to come back and play some better golf,” said Thomas. “I’m happy that we are going to CCS. It’s better than staying home.”
On Monday, the Balers will compete against first-place teams from the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mission Trail Athletic League (RLS), Peninsula Athletic League, Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League, and the Monterey Bay League. Other second-place teams on Monday will be from the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and the West Catholic Athletic League.
In other T-CAL Tournament news, Anthony Valdez of North Salinas was medalist with an even par 71. The score could have been better, but Valdez went bogey, bogey, double bogey on the final three holes.
Other top scores: Dan Johnson, Palma, 74; Erick Justesen, Live Oak, 75; Andrew Rodriguez, Salinas, 75; Sam Campbell, Salinas, 76; Jason Simonetti, Salinas 77; Ale Rodriguez, Gilroy, 77; Chad Brownfield, Gilroy, 78; Anthony Riso, Palma, 78; Geordon Bean, North Salinas, 78.
The all-T-CAL team consisted of Justesen, Valdez, Riso, Duncan, Bean and Campbell. Justesen, who attended Hollister High as a freshman, and Valdez are automatically in as individuals.
League rep Eric Kuwada of Gilroy is lobbying Thursday for an at-large team – Salinas – to advance to CCS. If the Cowboys are not selected, then Andrew Rodriguez would be the next individual. If the Cowboys do get in, then Ale Rodriguez of Gilroy is in as an individual.
