SALINAS
The San Benito High boys golf team struggled in the first of six Tri-County Athletic League Tournaments on Monday, posting a 214 en route to a tie for second place with Salinas at the Corral de Tierra Country Club.
Palma won the tournament with a 186.
“The conditions were good,” San Benito head coach Reggie Synegal said, “but we didn’t play well.”
The TCAL opener came exactly two weeks after the Haybalers opened their 2009 preseason with a four-way match at Corral de Tierra that included both Palma and Salinas. In that match, Palma recorded a 190, San Benito carded a 194, and Salinas finished in a distant fourth with a 227.
“At that earlier match, we shot a 194,” Synegal said. “Our ride home [Monday] was a little bit somber.”
Marcus Synegal led the ‘Balers with a par 36 on the front nine of Corral on Monday, while Derell Aton and Diego Navarro both finished the day with a 42. Will Cross recorded a 46 and Nathan Winn shot a 48 to round out San Benito.
‘Baler Joey Amaral completed the front nine with a 50.
San Benito, which held a practice round with Anzar High on Tuesday at San Juan Oaks Golf Club, will square off with the Hawks on Thursday at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club in Hollister.
Tee time is 3 p.m.
