Bulldog golfers start season with two wins
By Bill Tamburrino
While most Ramona teams have struggled in the Palomer League, Coach Jerry Patenaude’s golf team has been successful.
They started the 2012 campaign with wins over Steele Canyon and Army/Navy. Last year they finished second in the Palomar League to state champion Torrey Pines. They were awarded the number one seed in the CIF division II playoffs.
With Patenaude at the helm, the Bulldogs have gone 65-14 over the past four seasons and have a phenomenal 37-3 record at San Vicente Resort. They have gone 41-6 in league play (Valley and Palomar).
The always optimistic coach thinks that this year could be his best. He has seven returning lettermen, and the core from last year’s team is returning.
Four seniors are on the squad. Christian Rajcic is back for his fourth varsity campaign. He was All Palomar last season and is this year’s team captain.
Joe Fortunato returns and earned first team All Palomar honors last season. Brandon Zane is back for his third varsity campaign, and Robert Hill is a senior making the squad for the first year.
Three juniors are on the team. Ben Anderson-Parks and Tanner Angel earned letters last season, and Mikey Hall is in his first year of varsity competition.
Sophomore Ryan Graf not only lettered last season, but he earned all Palomar honors. Jason Morton, Andrew Kaminsky, and Kazar Matoian will be entering their first season of varsity competition.
The Dawgs opened the season on the road at Steele Canyon Golf Course where they beat Steele Canyon High School 195-212. Three Bulldogs shot in the 30s. Rajcic and Andrews led the Dawgs as both shot a 37 on the par 36 front nine. Graf carded a 39. Zane and Fortunato rounded out the scoring as both seniors turned in a 41. Anderson-Parks shot a non-scoring 50.
San Vicente Resort was kind to the Dawgs in their first home match as Ramona beat Army/Navy Academy 208-257.
Fortunato shot a three under par 33 and earn medalist honors and was four under par at one time during the match.
Morton turned in a respectful 42. Mikey Hall tied the Warrior’s number one golfer by shooting 43. Hall (44), Kaminsky (46) and Matoian (48) all carded lower scores than the Warriors’ number two golfer.
“We are off to a good start. We will improve, but our core guys have all been there and understand what it takes to win in this county and in the Palomar League. We will continue work hard and try to improve,” said Patenaude.