Balers look to CCS
There are seven teams in the Tri County Athletic League. The San
Benito High golf team is concerned about only one: Palma. Reason:
The Chieftains are the only team that stands in the way of the
Balers’ quest to capture the TCAL golf title.
”
We keep finishing second to them every time,
”
San Benito High coach Brian Silva said.
”
We just need more guys to shoot in the 30s to beat them. I know
we can do it. We also need more consistent play from our
juniors.
”
Balers look to CCS
There are seven teams in the Tri County Athletic League. The San Benito High golf team is concerned about only one: Palma. Reason: The Chieftains are the only team that stands in the way of the Balers’ quest to capture the TCAL golf title.
“We keep finishing second to them every time,” San Benito High coach Brian Silva said. “We just need more guys to shoot in the 30s to beat them. I know we can do it. We also need more consistent play from our juniors.”
Second place may not be what the Baler golfers had in mind. But second place will be good enough to send the team to next month’s Central Coast Section tournament, as the top two finishers in league are invited to the prestigious season-ending event.
So far the Baler freshmen have carried the team this year. And that was the case at last week’s TCAL golf tournament at Ridgemark where all three Baler underclassmen put up solid rounds to give the Balers a team total of 196; but it still wasn’t enough to oust powerhouse Palma’s team total of 192.
Leading the way for the Balers was freshman standout Will Cross, who carded a 1-under par 35 over the challenging layout. Cross, who plays in the No. 2 spot, bested Nathan Winn, the team’s No. 1 player, by a single shot and beat freshman Justin Palmquist, who plays in the No. 6 spot, by five strokes.
Although the Balers failed to dethrone the Chieftains, the gap is clearly narrowing.
“This was one of our best outings,” Silva said. “Normally, Palma beats us between 10-15 strokes, but we’re getting better.”
The day before the event, Silva had his team walk the course to check pin positions, he also discussed with them the importance of avoiding big numbers on the course and how to best manage their rounds.
“We really wanted this one bad. I think Will played up to his potential out there. He’s a real determined kid and he wants to compete. He showed his skills out there,” Silva said. “I wasn’t surprised by Nathan’s round. He always shoots in the 30s. He was frustrated, though, because he thought he should have shot a 34. I’m real proud of him.”
After the freshman finished one, two and three, the low junior was Joey Amaral, who carded a 42. Derell Aton, who posted a 43 and Marcus Synegal, who had 45, followed Amaral.
“Both Joey and Derell shoot in the 30s all the time in practice but seem to struggle more in the tournaments,” Silva said. “Marcus struggled out there and let his chipping and putting get the best of him, but he keeps his head in it and is always trying right until the end.”
This week after The Pinnacle’s press time, the Balers played in back-to-back TCAL tournaments at Salinas Fairways golf course – the first was hosted by Alisal and the second by Alvarez High School. Both events allowed San Benito High to take another look at Palma before the TCAL championships get under way at Carmel Valley’s Quail Lodge on April 28.
“We’re getting better and better each tournament but we still want to win,” Silva said. “I really thought we’d pull the last match off. It’s a little disappointing but we are still right there. We just need to have more guys shoot in the 30s. We have the talent but it’s more of a mental thing than a physical thing right now. Once we find our consistency we should be off and running.”
