It wasn
’t exactly the performance envisioned for him but Gavilan
freshman Kevin Noto still finished among the top community college
golfers in the state this season.
It wasn’t exactly the performance envisioned for him but Gavilan freshman Kevin Noto still finished among the top community college golfers in the state this season.
Noto capped his season by shooting an 11-over 153 in the 36-hole Northern California Community College Golf Championships at Stockton Country Club on Monday.
Noto finished 15 strokes behind first-place David Boyles of Coast Conference rival Monterey Peninsula College, who shot a 4-under 138.
MPC also won the team title at the comnpetition, beating out American River, Foothill and San Jose City.
According to Gavilan coach Scott Krauss, Noto needed to be able to better control his short game to compete with the top golfers in Northern California.
“He was hitting over a lot of greens,” Krauss said. “He gets excited out there.”
But Noto’s performance this year in reaching the state finals was impressive enough, Krauss said.
Noto qualified for the state meet by shooting a 1-over 73 at the Coast Conference finals at Rancho Canada on April 27. The top three teams and the top four individual golfers advanced to the state finals.
Noto ranked in the top four individual golfers in the Coast Conference all season.
Noto, a Gilroy High grad who has worked for years at Eagle Ridge, has attracted interest from Fresno State and San Jose State, Krauss said. Krauss has been coaching Noto for three years so far and has seen plenty of potential.
“He’s a good competitive player and he knows how to get serious,” Krauss said.
According to Krauss, Gavilan is on the cusp of making a big improvement in its golf program.
This year, for instance, Krauss said the Rams had seven active players on the squad, the majority of whom have previous high school competitive playing experience.
Top players included sophomore Brian Mikrut, and freshmen Chris Ericksen, Kevin Moyles, Chad Brownfield and Jared Anderson.
Krauss said two players have committed to returning next season, though he declined to identify them. And, Gilroy High senior Ryan Dinsmore has committed to attending Gavilan and playing golf next season, Krauss said.
