Mustangs finish eighth of 24 competing schools in Atwater
Invitational at Stevinson Ranch GC
STEVINSON – The Gilroy High boys golf team headed to the Central Valley for Monday’s Atwater Invitational, stepping outside the section to try its luck against some fresh competition.
The late-season tournament to the small city of Stevinson, which is 10 miles from Merced and 15 miles from Turlock, has become an annual adventure for the Mustang duffers through the years.
Coach Eric Kuwada wanted his golfers to get some extra rounds in before making their stretch run in the Tri-County Athletic League, and the 18-hole competition fit the criteria.
Gilroy currently stands in third place in T-CAL, only three points behind league-leading Palma and two points behind second-place Salinas. There are three tri-matches remaining on the schedule. The Mustangs start Wednesday at Laguna Seca GC against Palma and Hollister, then Thursday at Salinas CC against Palma and North Salinas, and finally April 26 at Eagle Ridge GC.
“They’re big. If we can beat Palma heads up, it gives us a chance to get close to Salinas, and then it will depend on one tournament, the league finals,” Kuwada said. “Second place guarantees us a spot for CCS. That’s been our big overall goal for the team. Otherwise, we’re looking at an at-large bid.”
In Monday’s invitational, the Mustangs shot a combined 431 to finish in eighth place of the 24 competing schools.
“I was very happy. The kids played well,” Kuwada said. “Overall, their scoring averages have come down. Some of the kids have been working on their mental games. What I like to call grinding it out.”
Sophomore Steven Freeth, playing in his first varsity season up from the JV squad, scored a team-low 83 on the par-72 course.
“He grinded it out. He shot really well on the back-nine, which is the tougher nine,” said Kuwada of Freeth. “He’s been pretty steady. His game has come along.”
Freeth has medaled in several matches this season, and has impressed Kuwada with his mental toughness on the course.
“He avoids the big number. He comes in with something safe,” Kuwada said. “He does not take too many chances on the golf course, which is really mature for a sophomore. It usually takes a couple years to get that done.”
Senior Ryan Dinsmore and sophomore Jami Binowski followed with strong 85s, while senior Daniel Perry came in with an 86. Rounding out the Gilroy line-up was seniors Thomas Hoshida (92) and John Gurich (102).
“Thomas had a hard day,” Kuwada said. “Johnny, this was his first big 18-hole tournament of the season and I think he was a little intimidated out there. The course is tough. … Stevinson Ranch is a great golf course. It has a good layout and the design is really well done.”
The wind was howling in the Central Valley and golfers had to adjust from going with the wind to hitting into it.
“We just went in to see how we could do. It’s been a traditional tournament on our schedule,” said Kuwada, who is looking for a strong finish leading into the May 3 T-CAL Finals at Quail Lodge GC in Carmel. “We’re going to have to play our best in our last three matches.”
