I have to thank Haybaler golf coach Mark Tinder for inviting me
to tag along Monday at Ridgemark to get a behind-the-scenes look at
the team during a qualifying round for this week’s match at Gilroy
Golf Course.
I have to thank Haybaler golf coach Mark Tinder for inviting me to tag along Monday at Ridgemark to get a behind-the-scenes look at the team during a qualifying round for this week’s match at Gilroy Golf Course.
I was a little hesitant to join them because of the talent on the team. I have to admit my golf expertise is a little lacking.
But I swallowed my pride and joined three of the top Haybaler golfers (junior Zach Zgragen, sophomore Chris Shackleton and junior Daniel Isaacson) on the four-hole loop of the Diablo Course.
As we waited to tee off behind the San Benito and Palma JV golf teams, the golfers started to talk about the latest and greatest clubs.
But the only thing I could think about was that big water puddle in front of us. To make matters worse, the wind was blowing as well.
I let them tee off first so I could see how the home course pros handled it.
Shackleton played a little draw to land the ball to the left of the bunker, while Zgragen hit the ball in the same area with a straight drive.
I was a little encouraged when I heard that Isaacson just started golfing last July – to keep busy when not playing basketball. Since he started about the same time that I did, maybe there would be someone I could keep up with after all.
But I was wrong. All the practice and instruction from his dad has paid off. On the first hole, he hit a ball way to the right but then calmly hit the green from behind the hills with his second shot.
“He has really improved a lot,” said Zgragen, the only golfer with much varsity experience. “He is always competitive and hits some good balls during trials.”
“Dan is one of the few players who will go to the range after a match to work on his shots,” Tinder said. “That carries over from his basketball skills with his discipline. He also carries a 4.0.”
My shot off the first hole, of course, ended up in the water, and I had to drop. The second shot went in the rough to left of the hole. That was when I knew I should forget about scoring.
I usually do a lot of sightseeing when golfing. I should take my binoculars. “Oh look, there is a red-headed woodpecker or a yellow speckled ostrich or some other rare avian creature.”
Last year, a college buddy from Michigan asked me to be a part of his wedding and go golfing with him. So I took some lessons and went to the driving range, and I have been addicted ever since.
Normally, I am lucky if I can play just below double par golf. I have had a few pars in my brief golfing career, but am still looking for my first birdie.
Good golfers are always fun to watch because there is something you can pick up no matter what skill level you are. I was impressed by the confidence and demeanor of the Baler golfers while on the golf course.
Zgragen, who lives at Ridgemark, has been golfing for about six years. He works as a cart attendant for the golf course.
“I know this course like the back of my hand,” Zgragen said. “Everything I do pretty much revolves around golf.”
Zgragen, who used to use just Titlist clubs, recently switched over to Ping, which he said he feels more comfortable with.
Shackleton, who has been golfing about two years, had a nice par on the third hole after hitting a six- or seven-foot putt.
“I thought I left that really short,” Shackleton said.
On the final hole, both Shackleton and Isaacson hit the green of the par 3 by using slight draws. Zgragen landed his drive on the lower part of the hill.
Shackleton, who was the closest to the hole, hit his putt for a birdie, and Isaacson had a par. “Chris has one of best mindsets on the team,” Tinder said.
Shackleton and Isaacson finished even for the four holes, while Zgragen finished at two over.
“Josh is making those easy bogeys,” Tinder said. “He just needs to relax a little bit and allow the better scores to come.”
Zgragen and Shackleton are exempt after strong matches last time, Tinder said. There are about 12 golfers this week trying for the final four varsity spots.
“You have to perform to play on varsity,” Tinder said. “Just because you play in that match does not mean that you will be there next time. The players practice more because they can jump from JV to varsity.”
The final cut will be made after the seven holes at the Gabilan Course today, Tinder said.
“Last time, we had a three-way playoff for the final spot,” Tinder said. “You could see they were a little nervous on the tee, and that is good. The more competition I can give them, the better off we are.”
Palma won the JV match 218-241. Derek Sone led the Balers with a 42. Jared Burchard and Curtis Wall shot a 48. Jason Allen had a 51, Patrick Fancher had a 52 and Steele Wilson III finished with a 55.
So, you’re wondering what my score was. I finished at a four under – I put four balls under the course not to be returned.
