Successful golf team attracts players
In his first year at the helm last season, Coach Jerry Patenaude’s varsity golf team went 16-3 overall and 10-2 in the Valley League.
Bulldog golfers have won the Valley League the past three seasons. This year Coach Jerry Patenaude hopes to improve upon that record. He will have to beat some good teams to do so, as he has upgraded the pre-season schedule to toughen his team.
The Bulldogs opened their season by beating Vista High School at San Luis Rey Downs Country Club 205-234. Andrew Massey and Josh Haynes were co-medalists. Both shot 40 on the par 36 front nine.
Brian Moberg shot a 41. Sophomore Garrett Arnold and Freshman Christian Rajcic drew praise from Coach Patenaude.
“Both were playing in their first varsity match and both did very well,” he said. “Christian had one of our two birdies. Josh had the other.”
Both fired a 42. Johnny Lafata shot a 43.
“San Luis Rey Downs is a tough course. Their coach said that no high school team ever breaks 200 there,” said Patenaude. “We got off to a good start.”
The Bulldogs have five returning starters, any of whom could be the number one on any given day. Only two are seniors.
Brian Moberg and Johnny Lafata return for their fourth year on the team.
Moberg finished second in the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) in 2007 as a sophomore. He missed half of last season with a broken collarbone, but averaged 37.3 per match before the injury.
“He is incredibly consistent and mentally tough,” said Patenaude.
Lafata averaged 40.8 last season. He works at a golf course and plays often. He can shoot below par on any day.
When Moberg went down last season, Andrew Massey, then a sophomore, stepped up. He averaged a 37.9 and was the co-MVP of the team. He earned first team All Valley League last season.
“He has always had the talent, but now he has the maturity to go with it,” said Patenaude. “He will compete with Brian for the Valley League MVP.”
Junior Josh Haynes is the third returning letterman. Haynes averaged 39.3 last year and would be the number one on most teams in the county.
Junior Glen Barnum is also returning. Glen averaged 42.8 last season.
Garrett Arnold, Jake Lohman and Christian Rajcic are new to the roster. Arnold averaged 42.3 last season as a JV. Lohman averaged 46.4. Rajcic is a freshman.
With success, the program has grown from 11 to 19 players.
“We have several freshmen and sophomores already shooting low scores,” said Patenaude. “We could be the best Ramona team in the last 20 years. We have to find a number six that is consistent.
“Our top four golfers are back. If we find solid golfers at five and six, we will be very tough.”