STEVINSON — Ripon coach Chris Musseman expected a better finish to the season for his golfers, but the primary objective was already met by them just getting to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V Tournament.

His Indians placed fourth out of six teams at Stevinson Ranch Golf Club Tuesday, carding a ho-hum 468 score as a team. Ripon Christian had two qualifiers in Logan Vos and Tim Hoekstra.

Trans Valley League foe Escalon won the tournament with a 430 to move onto next week’s Masters Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.

Central Catholic’s William Bettencourt edged Summerville’s Casey Bressler with a playoff for the individual title. They each carded a 7-over-par 79, and Carson Ellington of Bret Harte posted an 81 to round out the three individual qualifiers to Masters.
What Musseman ultimately wanted going into the season was for his team, laden with underclassmen, to have a taste of postseason tournament play.

“Overall, we had a good season, it was just a tough way to end it,” he said. “I don’t think anyone gave us a shot at taking second in league, so I’m happy about that.
“Our team should have a lot of confidence going into next year. The competition is there and the talent is there, it’s just about us putting it together.”
Vos, the TVL’s Most Outstanding Golfer, was a stroke shy of playing his way into Masters, finishing with an impressive 82. Hoekstra finished with an 88.

Sophomore Josh Richter’s 86 led Ripon. Daniel Cardoza, who earned co-MVP honors in league, shot a disappointing 88 but has one year left with Ripon.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen (Cardoza) shoot an 88 in an 18-hole tournament,” Musseman said. “He hit a ball out (of bounds) early on and it kind of derailed him, and he never got back on track.”
Freshmen Nick Ratto and Mark Bigelow recorded a 95 and 96, respectively, and Matty Gay checked in with a 103.