While a bid toward next week’s Central Coast Section Regional
Championships was ensured Monday at the Salinas Golf and Country
Club, the San Benito boys’ golf team fell just short of claiming
the Tri-County Athletic League title. It was within reach, though,
a fact that left head coach Chris Branon beyond pleased.
”
Low and behold on the last day of the season, here we are with
an opportunity,
”
Branon said.
”
I’m very, very proud of the guys for that.
”
HOLLISTER
While a bid toward next week’s Central Coast Section Regional Championships was ensured Monday at the Salinas Golf and Country Club, the San Benito boys’ golf team fell just short of claiming the Tri-County Athletic League title.
It was within reach, though, a fact that left head coach Chris Branon beyond pleased.
“Low and behold on the last day of the season, here we are with an opportunity,” Branon said. “I’m very, very proud of the guys for that.”
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It’s not every year Palma is forced to win the year-end TCAL Finals in order to lock up the league championship. But so was the case on Monday.
The Chieftains iced their first-place standing overall with an impressive team score of 360, which was par on the Salinas golf course for a five-player team. Medalists Matt Pinizzotto and Sergio Rios each shot 3-under par, though, and anchored Palma to yet another league title.
San Benito wasn’t too far behind, and had it been able to top the Chieftains on Monday, it would have finished in a tie with the private Salinas school — with the tiebreaker awarding the Balers the league title.
But carding a 399, San Benito finished runner-up to Palma by 39 strokes, and ahead of third-place Alvarez by 59 strokes — a solid score and position that advances the Balers to next week’s CCS Regional Championships in Carmel.
“As a team, I couldn’t be more proud of these guys for not only making CCS, but to also have a chance in the last match of the year to win the TCAL,” Branon said.
“A sub-400 (score) is pretty good,” he added.
Leading the way for the Balers was freshman Ryan Han, who finished 18 holes with a 1-under 71, while seniors Will Cross and Nathan Winn followed with scores of 77 and 78, respectively.
Jared Lantis finished the round with an 85 and Jade Kimura rounded out the scoring with an 88.
Aaron Smith, meanwhile, recorded a 90 on Monday.
San Benito’s team score was well ahead of the rest of the TCAL pack. Everett Alvarez was a distant third with a team score of 458, while North Salinas (460), Salinas (460), Gilroy (485) and Alisal (488) rounded out the remainder of the teams.
All-league awards were also handed out following the conclusion of Monday’s tournament, and the Balers earned two first-team selections, including freshman Ryan Han and senior Will Cross.
While it’s Han’s first year earning the distinction, Cross has now earned a first-team selection in each of his four years at San Benito High.
“That’s quite an accomplishment,” Branon said.
Other first-team members included Palma’s Matt Pinizzotto, Jack Tardieu, Sergio Rios and Jay Burlison.
Meanwhile, on the second team, Baler senior Nathan Winn was selected.
San Benito will take the same six it had on Monday to next Tuesday’s CCS Regional Championships at the Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel. The tournament will be held on the West Course, with only the top teams and individuals advancing to the following week’s CCS Championships.
Tee times and pairings are expected to be announced later this week.
“To go further, my guess is there will be two to three teams from each [regional], and my guess is a 370 will be the magic number,” Branon predicted about next week’s qualifying marks.
“There is work to be done,” he added.
