SANTA ROSA — Kelseyville High School put the finishing touches on its 13th Coastal Mountain Conference golf title in 27 seasons on Tuesday with a 12-shot victory over St. Vincent at the par-72 Oakmont West course in Santa Rosa.
It was the CMC South finale and the Knights secured the title with a 46-2 record. St. Vincent came in second at 40-8 and Rincon Valley Christian was third at 29-19.
By virtue of winning the CMC South crown this season, the Knights automatically advance to the North Coast Section Tournament of Champions on May 12 at the Meadow Club in Marin County. Runner-up St. Vincent moves on to a TOC qualifier on Monday at Peacock Gap, also in Marin County.
“It was just a real nice year with a great group of kids,” Kelseyville High School coach John Berry said.
One of Berry”s players is son Nick Schaefer, who won the CMC individual title after beating teammate Jonathan Bridges in a playoff. A player”s combined score over the final two conference matches — at Windsor last week and at Oakmont West on Tuesday — determines the individual champion. Schaefer and Bridges tied at 154, forcing the playoff.
Also advancing to the TOC qualifier at Peacock Gap on Monday are the conference”s low scorer for the entire season, Ty Cazet of Rincon Valley Christian (77.5 stroke average), and the two low scorers not members of the first- or second-place teams (based on cumulative rounds at Windsor and Oakmont). Those golfers are Middletown”s Blaine Ruggio and Cody Meuter of St. Helena.
Bridges” round of 75 on Tuesday not only led Kelseyville, but the field. Schaefer had the next best round at 77 and Ruggio carded a 79 that included two birdies. Bridges had four birdies.
“We played well,” Berry said. “The pins were in tough places but Jonathan and Nick did a pretty good job.”
