PETALUMA — When longtime Kelseyville High golf coach John Berry says the 2007 edition of the Knights may be his best team ever, that”s saying something considering all the great squads he”s been associated with at the school.
“That”s as good a round I”ve seen at Adobe Creek in all the years we”ve come down here,” Berry said on Thursday after Kelseyville won its fourth Coastal Mountain Conference South match in as many tries.
Kelseyville not only beat St. Vincent by 29 shots on its home course, but the Knights amassed a winning score of 395 — an average score of 79 per golfer — on the par-72 Petaluma layout, one that is well-guarded by bunkers.
“The 424 by St. Vincent would have won here almost any other year,” Berry said of St. Vincent”s final score. “A 395 on a Robert Trent Jones-designed course is special.”
Berry”s hope earlier this season was that the Knights would advance past the sectional playoffs and make it to the Tournament of Champions.
“When I said that I wasn”t completely sure I believed it myself, but after today”s round I do. That”s one of the best rounds of golf I”ve watched my team play. This may be my best team.”
Kelseyville improved to 24-0 in the South standings with its latest victory. Brent Hamilton led the way with an even-par 72, the low round in the field. Teammates Nick Schaefer (79), Schuyler Bloom (80), Jonathan Bridges (81) and Darren Sullivan (83) also were on their game, according to Berry.
“We threw out a 91, which isn”t a bad score,” Berry said (teams take the low five of their six individual rounds).
Hamilton”s even-par round featured three birdies.
Doug Quinones of Middletown had the next lowest round after Hamilton with a 1-over-par 73 that included two birdies. Teammate Mitch D”Amico finished with 80, a round that featured two birdies and an eagle on the 510-yard, par-5 fourth hole.
“He reached the green in two shots and made about a 12-footer for eagle,” Berry said.
Middletown”s team score of 444 was third best on the day behind Kelseyville and St. Vincent. St. Helena was next at 463, Tomales had 529, Rincon Valley Christian finished with 533 and Calistoga was incomplete (fewer than five golfers).
Other low scorers were Rincon Valley Christian”s Ty Cazet (76), St. Vincent”s Derek Brown (80), St. Helena”s Peter Larson (83) and, Middletown”s Lisa Copeland (84).
While Kelseyville is on a pretty good roll, Berry said the Knights can”t take anything for granted, especially if reaching the TOC is a goal.
“They”ve got to work hard for the next six weeks,” Berry said. “But I don”t think that will be a problem. I gave them a day off and they all played anyway.”
