Bulldog golfers win fourth Valley League crown

Ramona was idle in Valley League golf action this week but, when San Marcos beat Westview, Ramona won the crown outright, its fourth straight Valley League crown and the third straight in Jerry Patenaude’s tenure as coach.

The Dawgs will enter the Avocado League next season. No other RHS team won four straight Valley League championships in any sport. Ramona has a 16-4 record overall and finished the Valley League with an 11-1 mark.

To get ready for the upcoming CIF and League tournaments, Ramona played two topnotch golf teams. Ramona lost to Saint Augustine High School and beat Poway High School to avenge an earlier loss to the Titans.

Ramona took advantage of its home course to edge the Poway Titans 204-207. Christian Rajcic earned the medalist honors by beating Poway’s Ryan Evans and Lucas Webb by one stroke. Rajcic shot an even par 36 on the challenging front nine at San Vicente Golf Resort.

Sophomore Brandon Barnum shot a 39. Ramona’s depth paid off. Glen Zane shot a 41 to beat his counterpart by two strokes. Corey Warren shot a 43 to better his foe by a stroke. James Andrews beat his counterpart by a stroke by shooting a 45. If it would have gotten down to the sixth score, Tyler Harvey’s 46 was a shot better than Poway’s number six golfer.

The Bulldogs shot well in the 188-205 loss to Saints. Rajcic and Zane shot 37 and Barnum turned in a 39. Warren shot 45 and Andrews shot a 45. Harvey recorded a 46.

Patenaude is happy with the play of his team as postseason play approaches. “All six golfers have lowered their scoring averages over the course of the last two weeks.”

The Bulldogs have had depth and consistency all season. In postseason play, the team will be without the services of four golfers who were dismissed in mid-April for disciplinary reasons.