Golf team off to good start
Coach Jerry Patenaude is looking forward to the Ramona High School golf season.
“Last year we were 18-2 and 12-0 in the Valley League,” he said. “We finished second in Division II in the CIF. This year we will rely on our senior leadership and their experience. This group is hands down the most talented group overall that I have coached in my three seasons. Most have varsity experience and all are capable of shooting low scores on any given day.”
Patenaude’s five seniors are: Drew Massey, Josh Haynes, Glendon Barnum, Corey Warren and Tyler Harvey. Massey and Haynes are co-captains.
Last year, Massey’s average score was 38.1. He was first team All Valley League and took third in the Valley League Tournament.
Haynes averaged 39.1 last season and was first team all league. He will attend the University of La Verne next season and play golf.
Barnum averaged 39.9 last season and received honorable mention all league. Harvey lettered last season, averaged 45.4 and has improved greatly since last season, said Patenaude.
Warren is a first-year varsity player who, according to Patenaude, has also improved since last season.
Garrett Arnold is the lone junior on the roster. He averaged 42.7 last season.
“He has tons of ability,” said Patenaude.
Three sophomores are on the roster. Christian Rajcic averaged 41.2 as a freshman.
“He has the potential to be one of the best in San Diego by his senior year,” says Patenaude.
James Andrews and Brandon Barnum are up from last season’s junior varsity.
The Ramona Bulldog varsity golf team got off to a good start, opening the season with a Valley League match on the road against Valley Center at Pauma Valley Country Club.
Patenaude believes that this team has the ability to win the Valley League and contend for a CIF title.
“All nine of our players have the ability to shoot in the thirties, which we have never been close to before,” he said.
The Dawgs outshot the Jaguars 203-232 on the par 35 front nine at Pauma Valley. Rajcic and Arnold shared the medalist honors as both Bulldogs shot 39. Massey was a shot off the lead as he fired a 40 to match the Jag’s number one, Paul Calac.
Haynes opened the season with a 41. Barnum turned in a 44 and Harvey shot 50. Every Bulldog golfer beat his counterpart in head to head play.