Matt Rose plowed through a rough afternoon on the greens, earning medalist honors as Sierra pushed past Weston Ranch.
Rose struggled from short distances but still managed and a 9-over 46, edging Weston Ranch’s Austin Thao to earn medalist honors at the Manteca Park Golf Course.
Sierra won the Valley Oak League tussle, 253-285, improving to 3-7 on the season.
“We’re gradually getting better,” Sierra head coach Jeff Williams said. “But we have a lot to work on yet.”
David Ketner finished with a 52, Kyle Yousef and Nathaniel Livingston closed with 56s, and Dillon St. Clair rounded out Sierra’s scoring with a 63.
Williams likes the strides his team is showing and believes their catalyst — Rose — will find his champion’s form in time for the postseason.
“Matt’s in a little slump right now. His timing is off,” Williams said. “But I’m sure he’ll work through it before the VOLs come along.”
Thao finished with a 47 to keep the pressure on Rose, but it wasn’t enough to carry the Cougars to a road win.
Jimmy Sekhon (55) and Javier Gomez (56) were the only other Weston Ranch players with a sub-60 card.
Ripon 460, Orestimba 524
Nick Sharp and the Indians are starting to peak at the right time.
Sharp shot a 4-over 76 as the Indians rolled to an exhibition, 18-hole victory over Orestimba at The Golf Club at Roddy Ranch in Antioch.
The match was Ripon’s last before a busy, all-important stretch next week. The Indians will play three matches in three days, beginning at Mountain House on Tuesday.
That match is followed by rematches with two of the Trans-Valley League’s best: front-runner Escalon on Wednesday; and third-place Hilmar.
Despite its youth and inexperience, Ripon is second in the TVL standings.
Head coach Chris Musseman likes the way his team is progressing, especially after Monday’s performance in less than favorable conditions.
Sharp’s card included a pair of highlights, including a tone-setting birdie on the first hold. He went driver-seven iron onto the green to move to 1-under. Later, he drove the green on the 312-yard, par-4 third hole, running his ball to within 10 feet of the cup.
He two-putted for the birdie.
Sharp and teammate Kole Gonzalez played from the black tees.
“He’s peaking at the right time,” Musseman said. “He did really well at our mid-year tournament and he played well again today.
“He had a little trouble off the tee, but he recovered well and played solid golf. He’s gotten better as the season has went along.”
So too have his teammates.
Gonzalez fired an 88, Justin Brito and Josh Angel had matching 98s, and Luis Candido carded a 100 for the Indians, who have hopes of unseating the TVL’s top team.
“That Escalon match is big for us. They’re the best team in league right now,” Musseman said. “They’ve got the players and the experience, but our guys have been working hard. We just have to have a good day.”
