Bulldog golfers win Valley League title
By Bill Tamburrino
Coach Jerry Patenaude is more than a golf coach and he teaches his athletes more than golf. After his Bulldog varsity golf team cinched the Valley League championship with a perfect league record of 8-0 by beating Del Norte 213-229, Patenaude addressed both teams.
There was some controversy and bickering after the final foursome finished its round. The two teams were playing for a championship. Del Norte came into the game with a 6-1 record and a Nighthawk win would give it a share of the championship.
During the match a couple of infractions were called and Del Norte contested a drop after a Ramona golfer hit into a water hazard.
Patenaude sensed some bad blood and wanted to settle the mood of the two teams.
“We just played a match on the final day of the regular season for a championship. Both teams have had good seasons. In golf we marshal our own game. That is how we keep the integrity of the game. That is why it is a great game. When an infraction is called it is not nit-picking. Rules are rules and when you break a rule you have to pay a penalty. If you didn’t know the rule or you didn’t break the rule on purpose, it doesn’t matter. There is no ‘no harm no foul’ in golf. You take the penalty and you continue to play golf. We will see each other in the North County Conference Tournament next week and I don’t want any hard feelings of bad blood.”
The two teams wound down and Ramona left the San Vicente Resort the 2013 Valley League Champions.
Jacob Buckley took the medalist honors in the championship match by shooting a 39 on a windy day where the scores were higher than usual. Mike Smith and Kazar Matoian each carded 42. Thomas Andrews shot 43, and Andrew Kaminsky shot 47.
The Bulldogs set up the championship match earlier in the week when they beat Orange Glen 206-242. Ryan Graf shot a one over par 37 on the front nine at San Vicente to take medalist honors. Andrews and Smith each carded 40. Ben Anderson-Parks shot 42, Kaminsky shot 47, and Dane Harvey shot 48.
Ramona lost a non- league match to Francis Parker at Riverwalk Golf Course 213-221. Buckley shot 39 to lead the Dawgs. Tanner Angel shot 42. Matoian turned in a 45. Jason Morton carded a 47, and Cody Anderson-Parks shot 48.