With two of the three groups lounging alongside the ninth green of Manteca Golf Course, one group strolled up the fairway not knowing its scores would ultimately decide the outcome of Tuesday’s highly-anticipated Valley Oak League match between Sierra and East Union highs.
The final tally found both squads closing out nine holes in 209 strokes apiece, therefore giving the Lancers (8-2 VOL) the victory thanks to a timely round from East Union No. 6 Evan Lewis.
Sierra’s effort was nothing short of impressive, being led by a co-medalist honors performance from Miguel Dominguez. Dominguez tied East Union’s Kyle Harman shooting an even-par 37, yet couldn’t capitalize on a short birdie putt attempt to close the round, finishing with par on the par-5 ninth.
“I felt like I played very well,” Dominguez said. “I know that I was striking the ball well. I hit seven out of nine greens (in regulation), so the ball striking was there.
“It was an all-around good round for me.”
Harman headed to the ninth tee after just missing a par-putt on hole No. 8, but quickly shrugged off the narrow misfortune with a perfect final drive of the round. Harman would then promptly crush his second, leaving him with a difficult eagle put which he calmly dropped.
“That was huge for me and I knew it was going to be good for the team,” Harmon said. “That whole way up I probably said, ‘You will make this put’ probably 100 times in my head because I knew we needed that.
“We knew coming in that it would probably come down to the last group.”
Freshman Will Brink came in behind Harmon with a 41, while Tanner Bragg and Jordan Duval both turned in 44s. Turner’s round of 43 proved most valuable in the Lancers’ VOL win.
Sierra’s Ryan Leasure shot a 39, Paul Micheleto shot a 42 and Drew Allen turned in a 44. Chase Hunter shot a 47 for the Timberwolves, while Kasey Milan’s 51 was Sierra’s final score.
Sierra (6-4) had the Lancers where they wanted them at the match’s final stage, but a pair of costly three-putts gave East Union the only glimmer of hope they would need.
“I knew that it would be close coming down because of the way Miguel played, he played a great round of golf,” East Union head coach Dennis Wells said. “Their whole team played well. Honestly, we didn’t win it they lost it. They had us beat on that last hole; it was just that last putt.
“You hate to see a team lose like that, but I’m happy we won.”
Both Summers and Gonzalez turned in rounds of 37 and Casey Benson came in behind them with a 46. Chris Pinpin shot a 49, while Brandan Vilaysack and Derek Benson turned in a 51 and 56, respectively.
“The players as a whole had a tough day putting on the greens but were able to play well enough for the win,” Manteca head coach David Fontanilla said. “We’ll have to do much better Thursday when Oakdale comes to town.”
The Cougars (1-8 VOL) were led by Ryan Ortiz’ round of 42, followed by James Aragon (48) and Joseph Renaud (50). Tim Weatherwax and Thomas Medeiros rounded out the Weston Ranch scorecard with a 54 and 80, respectively.
Oakdale No. 1 Austin Whitworth and temamte Connore Gust finished with medalist honors with a round of 40.
The final tally found both squads closing out nine holes in 209 strokes apiece, therefore giving the Lancers (8-2 VOL) the victory thanks to a timely round from East Union No. 6 Evan Lewis.
Sierra’s effort was nothing short of impressive, being led by a co-medalist honors performance from Miguel Dominguez. Dominguez tied East Union’s Kyle Harman shooting an even-par 37, yet couldn’t capitalize on a short birdie putt attempt to close the round, finishing with par on the par-5 ninth.
“I felt like I played very well,” Dominguez said. “I know that I was striking the ball well. I hit seven out of nine greens (in regulation), so the ball striking was there.
“It was an all-around good round for me.”
Harman headed to the ninth tee after just missing a par-putt on hole No. 8, but quickly shrugged off the narrow misfortune with a perfect final drive of the round. Harman would then promptly crush his second, leaving him with a difficult eagle put which he calmly dropped.
“That was huge for me and I knew it was going to be good for the team,” Harmon said. “That whole way up I probably said, ‘You will make this put’ probably 100 times in my head because I knew we needed that.
“We knew coming in that it would probably come down to the last group.”
Freshman Will Brink came in behind Harmon with a 41, while Tanner Bragg and Jordan Duval both turned in 44s. Turner’s round of 43 proved most valuable in the Lancers’ VOL win.
Sierra’s Ryan Leasure shot a 39, Paul Micheleto shot a 42 and Drew Allen turned in a 44. Chase Hunter shot a 47 for the Timberwolves, while Kasey Milan’s 51 was Sierra’s final score.
Sierra (6-4) had the Lancers where they wanted them at the match’s final stage, but a pair of costly three-putts gave East Union the only glimmer of hope they would need.
“I knew that it would be close coming down because of the way Miguel played, he played a great round of golf,” East Union head coach Dennis Wells said. “Their whole team played well. Honestly, we didn’t win it they lost it. They had us beat on that last hole; it was just that last putt.
“You hate to see a team lose like that, but I’m happy we won.”
Manteca 219, Ceres 224
CERES – The Buffaloes got a pair of impressive rounds from Kenny Summers and Nick Gonzalez to help take down their VOL match with Ceres at River Oaks Golf Course Tuesday.Both Summers and Gonzalez turned in rounds of 37 and Casey Benson came in behind them with a 46. Chris Pinpin shot a 49, while Brandan Vilaysack and Derek Benson turned in a 51 and 56, respectively.
“The players as a whole had a tough day putting on the greens but were able to play well enough for the win,” Manteca head coach David Fontanilla said. “We’ll have to do much better Thursday when Oakdale comes to town.”
Oakdale 208, Weston Ranch 274
STOCKTON – The Mustangs were able to shake off their first loss of the season, handling Weston Ranch with ease in VOL action Tuesday at Van Buskirk Golf Course.The Cougars (1-8 VOL) were led by Ryan Ortiz’ round of 42, followed by James Aragon (48) and Joseph Renaud (50). Tim Weatherwax and Thomas Medeiros rounded out the Weston Ranch scorecard with a 54 and 80, respectively.
Oakdale No. 1 Austin Whitworth and temamte Connore Gust finished with medalist honors with a round of 40.
