San Benito continues hot streak with season-low round to tie
Salinas at Ridgemark
Hollister – At this rate, the San Benito boys golf team probably wishes the Tri-County Athletic League Championships started tomorrow. But with the postseason nearly a month away, the Haybalers will have to settle for another sign that they stand primed to extend their season well into May.
Two days after taking third out of 24 teams in the Atwater Invitational, the ‘Balers shot their lowest round of the year in a league match at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club Wednesday. San Benito’s 196 on the Diablo Course tied Salinas for the top mark in the three-team competition. North Salinas finished a distant third at 263.
San Benito seniors Chris Shackleton and Derek Stone fired rounds of 1-over-par 37’s to lead the ‘Balers. Freshman No. 2 Diego Navarro shot 40, and No. 5 Gene Park and No. 6 Pat Fancher both finished at 41.
Senior Ryan Wood carded a 42 in his No. 4 slot, but ‘Balers coach Andy Parra was ecstatic to get an even better mark from Fancher to secure the tie with Salinas.
“We’ve needed a good round from our sixth man all season long,” Parra said. “It made a huge difference today.”
While Shackleton continues to lead the team with his outstanding play – “he always comes through,” said Parra – San Benito’s coach said Stone’s performance in the No. 3 slot has been instrumental in the team’s recent surge.
“Derek is hot. He’s been on fire,” Parra said. “He’s been playing some great golf the last two and a half weeks.”
But no matter how strong the play of its top players is, a successful team depends heavily on the performances of players further down its line-up. That the ‘Balers’ best round of the season also came on a day in which the team’s highest score was a 41 was not lost on Parra.
“I think what made the biggest difference was getting the other guys in the low 40’s,” the San Benito coach said.
After seeing his players tie Salinas – one of three teams leading the ‘Balers in the league standings – on the heels of two victories over the Cowboys in the past two weeks, Parra spoke glowingly of the ‘Balers’ determination.
“They love to compete,” Parra said. “They want to play the best competition and they rise to the occasion.”
Salinas’ Matt Adrian took medalist honors with an even-par 36 and Jason Simonetti carded a 37.
The ‘Balers topped their previous season-best by three strokes. San Benito shot 199 at Corral de Tierra on March 27 in losing to the Cowboys by five strokes.
With two days left to play in the TCAL regular season, San Benito will have its eyes on today’s make-up match that pits the top-three teams in the league against each other. Third-place Gilroy hosts Palma and Salinas at Eagle Ridge this afternoon.
The ‘Balers complete their regular season on Friday by playing Live Oak and North Salinas at Gilroy Golf Course. Pending today’s result, Parra knows that his team stands a shot at securing sole possession of third place by taking care of its own business.
“(Friday) can really be a huge win for us in the standings,” Parra said.
The ‘Balers will play 18-hole tournaments in Atascadero and Aptos in the coming weeks in preparation for the league’s postseason tournament in early May.
Friday’s three-team match is set to begin in Gilroy at 3pm.
