ST. HELENA — A team of long-ball knockers, the last thing the Kelseyville Knights wanted to do was play iron, wedge, putter on a narrow and short course such as the par-64 layout at Meadowwood in St. Helena.
But on the advice of their longtime golf coach, John Berry, that”s exactly what the Knights did on Wednesday, and to great effect.
Led by Nick Schaefer”s 3-over-par round of 67, the Knights beat their closest competition, St. Vincent, by 41 strokes — 360-401 — in a Coastal Mountain Conference South match that may very well pave the way for yet another conference title for the Knights.
“Four guys from Kelseyville did not hit a wood all day,” Berry said of a balanced effort by the Knights, who had no score higher than 77.
Hipolito Perez Jr. followed teammate Schaefer with a 68 and was the only Kelseyville player to hit a wood during the round.
“And he used one only twice,” Berry said.
“We”re a power team, but they were laying up all day,” Berry said.
While the style of play didn”t lead to many birdie chances for the Knights, it did lead to a bunch of pars and an easy win.
“When they win by 41 shots, it kind of brought into focus that the coach knows a little bit,” Berry joked. “They were extremely pleased with the win. It was a good day for us.”
Kelseyville (23-1) now leads St. Vincent (21-3) by two games in the win column and with a pair of power courses on the horizon, things are looking up for the Knights, according to Berry.
“We go to Adobe (Creek in Petaluma) and then Adams (Springs on Cobb Mountain), but then we finish with Windsor and Oakmont,” Berry said of the second half of the CMC South schedule.
Five golfers shot rounds in the 60s on Wednesday. Besides Schaefer and Perez of Kelseyville, Blaine Ruggio led Middletown with 68, including two birdies, and the Cazet brothers of Rincon Valley Christian — Ty, a senior, and Kasey, a freshman — carded 69s.
Jonathan Bridges of Kelseyville and St. Vincent”s Vinnie Magliulo each had 71.
