Player’s ball not identified by marker after hillside shot in
GHS golf team’s meet at Eagle Ridge
GILROY – Sophomore Stephen Freeth’s team-low 38 had the Mustang duffers in good shape to win Thursday’s T-CAL match at Eagle Ridge Golf Course.
But a procedural violation disqualified freshman Jordan Miller’s final tally, leaving Gilroy two strokes behind Salinas, which shot a collective 211 with the Mustangs at 213 and Hollister in third at 225.
“Gilroy played well today and could have won, but Jordan’s DQ did not help the team,” head coach Eric Kuwada said. “Jordan was DQ’d due to a procedural violation that caused his score to be disqualified.”
Kuwada explained that the first-year varsity golfer hit his ball into the hillside and there was a question where his ball ended up. Miller’s ball was not identified by his marker, therefore he questioned Miller’s score. Since the marker did not attest Miller’s score, it had to be disqualified.
“There is a procedure we follow in competitive golf. One is to identify your ball to your competitors, and if there was doubt, Jordan and his marker should have identified his ball before he hit it. And that didnt happen,” Kuwada said.
“Remember golf is about integrity and honesty. There are no referees or spotters on the golf course, so players have to protect themselves and follow procedure,” the coach added. “We debriefed all the teams together and talked about the procedure that was not followed. I hope this is a learning lesson to all players.”
The Mustangs still finish a solid second with senior Ryan Dinsmore scoring a 40 over nine holes, senior Thomas Hoshida tallying a 41, sophomore Chad Wilson scoring a 46, and senior Daniel Perry tallying a 48.
Up next, Gilroy will head to the Salinas Country Club for the Tri-County Athletic League’s 36-man tournament.
