CALISTOGA — You”re only as good as your team depth in high school golf. If that”s indeed true, the Kelseyville Knights might just accomplish the goal they set for themselves heading into the 2007 season.
“Our goal isn”t to win league or reach the section playoffs, it”s to play in the TOC,” Kelseyville coach John Berry said of the North Coast Section Tournament of Champions on May 14 at Shadow Lakes Golf Course in Brentwood.
While the TOC is still well down the road for the Knights, they did take the first step on Thursday by posting a 43-shot margin of victory in the Coastal Mountain Conference South opener at Mount St. Helena Golf Course in Calistoga.
Four of the team”s five low scorers carded rounds in the 70s on the par-70 course. Brent Hamilton led the way with a 1-over-par 71, Nick Schaefer finished with a 75, Schuyler Bloom had a 77, and Jonathan Bridges had a 78.
“It was a perfect day for golf,” Berry said of the weather conditions at Napa County course, which was closed because of flooding this time last year. “We didn”t get a chance to play on it last year. In fact, the only golfer on our team who has played it before is Schuyler Bloom.”
With the mercury rising into the mid- to upper-70s and little or no breeze, the golf ball was flying. The seven teams that make up the CMC South — Kelseyville, Middletown, St. Vincent, Calistoga, St. Helena, Tomales and Rincon Valley Christian — made the most of it, according to Berry.
“The conditions were idyllic for golf,” Berry said.
So idyllic that Middletown”s No. 1, Doug Quinones, eagled the 310-yard par-4 second hole, driving the ball to within 2 feet of the cup and tapping in for a two. Another golfer drove the ball over the green on the same hole.
Quinones also had three birdies during his sizzling round of 67, which was the low score on the day. Teammate Mitch D”Amico finished with a 78 and freshman Lisa Copeland carded an 81 in her high school debut.
“She did well for her first high school match,” Berry said of Copeland, who played from the men”s tees. “I”m sure she was a little nervous.”
Kelseyville”s winning team score of 389 easily beat the 432 posted by runner-up St. Vincent. Middletown came in third with 435.
Other leading individual rounds were posted by St. Helena”s Peter Larson (74) and Rincon Valley Christian”s Ty Cazet (77).
The CMC South teams return to action next Wednesday afternoon at Bodega Harbour Golf Links, the home course of the Tomales Braves.
