WINDSOR — Neither a three-club wind, the cold or stinging rain could stop Middletown High School”s Blaine Ruggio from firing a 7-over-par round of 79 on Monday at the North Coast Section Golf Championships at Windsor Golf Club.
Ruggio tied for the eighth-best round in miserable weather conditions to earn a berth in next Monday”s NCS Tournament of Champions at Baywood Country Club in Arcata.
Ruggio and Rincon Valley Christian”s Kasey Cazet, who also fired a 79, are the only two at-large Coastal Mountain Conference South golfers moving on to the TOC, where they”ll be joined by CMC South champion St. Vincent.
“It was cold and windy ? it was horrible,” Kelseyville High School coach John Berry said. “It was a two- to three-club wind and there was stinging, sideways rain.”
Berry, who helped run the tournament, spent 23 holes in the nasty conditions as he helped supervise a five-hole playoff at the end of regulation play to determine which of six golfers — all of whom tied with 81 — would get the final at-large berth into the TOC.
Only the top two teams (out of 18) and the low 12 scorers who are not members of the top two teams advance to the TOC. Marin Catholic of Kentfield won the team title with 385 and Branson School of Ross came in second with 407. Kelseyville finished 13th overall with 457 and Middletown was 16th with 487.
Kelseyville senior Tyler Drake led the Knights with 81, including two birdies, and was among the half-dozen golfers who took part in the playoff. He was eliminated on the second playoff hole after missing a par putt. Dominic Brutaco of Ukiah eventually won with an eagle on the fifth playoff hole.
“I”m proud of Tyler for what he did in such bad conditions,” Berry said. “He”s had a nice four years with us and is a good guy.”
Also for Kelseyville, Wyatt Ferrell fired an 86, Brandon Walker had 87, Peter Wotherspoon carded a 98 and Corey Huber had 105.
Besides Ruggio”s 79 for Middletown, Lisa Copeland finished at 95, Todd Mullin had 101, Daniel Eagle carded a 102, and Daniel Renninger had 113.
The low round of the day belonged to Marin Catholic”s Matt Seramin at even-par 72. Thomas McLendon of Justin-Siena High School of Napa was a shot back at 73. Third place with 76 went to Forrest Iverson of Arcata.
