All San Benito golfers shoot 45 or less against Anzar
Hollister – Battling through an array of weather conditions that ranged from a torrential downpour to warm sunshine, San Benito persevered and had a strong at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
Each of the Haybaler golfers shot rounds of 45 or less as they coasted past Anzar 208-252.
“We were much better today,” said San Benito coach Andy Parra, whose team shot 245 on Monday while taking fourth in a match with Palma (204), Pacific Grove (205) and Salinas (222).
“Our early season goal was to get close to 200,” Parra said. “That’ll keep us competitive with Palma and Salinas.
Derell Aton and Joey Amaral paced the ‘Balers, each firing a round of 39.
“I’ve been hoping they would start shooting like that sooner rather than later,” Parra said. “I hope it was kind of a breakout round. They’re capable of shooting that every round.”
Josh Greenwood finished not far behind with a 41, Nolan Filice carded a 44 and Robby Sanchez and Chad Stange both shot 45.
Anzar was paced by freshman Tim Trefts, who fired a 47. Ira Ellison and Erik Olson followed at 49, Stephen Mockabee shot 52 and Nick Tanouye had a 55.
While the day wrapped up under sunshine, some of the early holes were played in a strong, steady rain.
“They’ll play in anything,” Parra said. “We had a little bit of everything out there – rain, hail, sun.”
San Benito is now getting set for its first 18-hole tournament of the year when it competes in the Monterey Bay Invitational on Monday at Salinas Country Club.
“I was hoping today would build some confidence,” Parra said. “They have the game, they just need the confidence.”
In Tri-County Athletic League action, which begins with a league tournament Mar. 7 at Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Parra expects Palma to be the team to beat and that the ‘Balers should be able to battle Salinas and Gilroy for the No. 2 spot and second automatic berth to the Central Coast Section tournament.
“Since we made it last year, that’s our goal,” Parra said of advancing to CCS.
Anzar will have to do battle in the competitive Mission Trail Athletic League, which features the likes of powerhouses Robert Louis Stevenson and Pacific Grove.
“It’s a building year for this team,” Hawks’ coach Eric Lopez said. “It’s a tough league and the kids are fired up. They’re ambitious and they want to do it. I’m excited about how the year is going to go.”
Anzar’s first league tournament is Mar. 20 when the Hawks travel Poppy Hills.
“We’re hoping to schedule a few more practice matches before we hit league play,” Lopez said. “We’d like to get some tune ups in before league.”
