Mustang duffers close in on Palma after back-to-back strongs
showings in league
SALINAS – A late-arriving Gilroy High golf team was forced to rush directly to the tee box for Wednesday’s league tri-meet at Laguna Seca GC against Palma and Hollister.
It was because of traffic.
But the Mustangs went right to work, shooting their team-average of 210 anyway to take second place behind host Palma’s 196 tally and ahead of third-place Hollister’s 216 team score.
“It’s a tricky golf course, especially in the wind,” said head coach Eric Kuwada of the Laguna Seca course. “After arriving late due to traffic issues, we rushed to the tee and played all right.”
Gilroy was back in Salinas the very next day for another league match. On time for Thursday’s key battle, the Mustangs shot a team-best 193 to win out over Palma (203) and North Salinas (225).
“Everyone played well today. It’s the first time we scored under 200 in a long time,” Kuwada said. “Everyone played well. There was a different team out there. They have had the potential to shoot sub-200. It was all a matter if and when.”
The win at Salinas CC helped out Gilroy, which is fighting for second place in the T-CAL Standings with Salinas alone in first as well as an automatic team bid for CCS.
“If we can play well Monday at Eagle Ridge and put Palma against the ropes, it will be a shoot-out at league finals,” said Kuwada, whose squad has home course advantage for Monday’s final tri-meet before the May 3 T-CAL Finals at Quail Lodge GC in Carmel Valley.
Senior Ryan Dinsmore led the Mustangs at Laguna Seca with a team-low 40, and then shot one better with a 39 at Salinas CC. Senior Thomas Hoshida cut two strokes off his 41 on Wednesday to tie the team-low 38 on Thursday. Senior Daniel Perry improved four strokes with a 41 at Laguna and a 38 at Salinas.
“So I believe our confidence is up and the guys are believing that they can do it. That could make all the difference in the world,” the coach added. “Being that this game is so mental, having confidence will help us in the long run.”
Freshman Jordan Miller also drastically improved from his 46 two days ago to a 39 at Salinas CC. Sophomores Jamie Binowski, who cut off four strokes between his last two matches, and Stephen Freeth, who shot a 44 on Wednesday and a 51 on Thursday, also helped the Mustangs’ clutch performance.
GOLF FUNDRAISER: The Gilroy High boys golf team will be running its annual fundraiser tournament at the Gilroy Golf Course on May 1 at 1 p.m. Openings are still available at the pro shot at Gilroy GC, which can be reached at 848-0490.
