After carding a 229 at the Laguna Seca Golf Club on April 14,
which was one of the highest scores its shot in the last three
years, San Benito broke 200 for the first time this season on
Thursday when it compiled a team score of 198 at the sixth and
final Tri-County Athletic League Tournament.
SALINAS
The San Benito Haybalers followed its highest score of the season with its lowest on Thursday at the Salinas Fairways Golf Club.
After carding a 229 at the Laguna Seca Golf Club on April 14, which was one of the highest scores its shot in the last three years, San Benito broke 200 for the first time this season on Thursday when it compiled a team score of 198 at the sixth and final Tri-County Athletic League Tournament.
It was the lowest score of the season for the Balers, who finished in second place behind Palma (180).
“We broke 200,” San Benito head coach Chris Branon said proudly. “It was good timing to get a 198.”
That’s because the TCAL Championships are less than two weeks away, and only the top two teams will advance to the Central Coast Section Regional Championships on May 10.
While the current TCAL standings won’t be released until some time on Friday, a second-place standing entering the TCAL Championships would only benefit the Balers, especially with the points doubling in the year-end league meet.
“It’s been up and down,” Branon said of the season. “This was our best score of the season.
“This was big.”
While Palma’s Matt Ogden and Matt Pinizzotto each medaled with matching 34s on the front nine par 36 at Salinas Fairways on Thursday, Balers Will Cross and Nathan Winn weren’t too far behind with scores of 36 and 37, respectively.
Meanwhile, Darren Hopkins and Tony Ramos each shot 41s for San Benito.
Ramos, a freshman, was the last Baler into the clubhouse on Thursday, and helped San Benito card its sub-200 score.
“He put us under 200,” Branon said.
Taylor Weatherly rounded out the scoring for San Benito with a 43, while teammate Jade Kimura followed with a 44.
Everett Alvarez finished behind the Balers in third place with a 209, while Gilroy was fourth with a 212. Salinas (217), Alisal (247) and North Salinas (268) rounded out the remaining TCAL teams.
Before the TCAL Championships, which are scheduled for May 3 at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, the Balers will compete in a non-league meet against Atwater.
The two teams will meet on Wednesday at the Rancho Del Rey Golf Course in Atwater. Tee time is 3 p.m.
