Sobrato didn’t get the word that it could have a golf team until
December.
Sobrato didn’t get the word that it could have a golf team until December.
There was some scrambling that needed to be done and the Bulldogs are not Central Coast Section eligible in their first varsity season.
And yet they are competitive, as Sobrato proved in its first match when it whipped Yerba Buena 219-355 at San Jose Municipal Golf Course.
“Not bad for our first match,” coach Norm Brown said.
Senior Gary Leung got off to a great start in the match last week when he shot 2-over-par 38. He was followed by senior Matt Kellett’s 42.
Brown is under no false illusions. When the Bulldogs competed Monday in the 18-hole Monterey Bay Invitational hosted by North Salinas at Salinas Golf and Country Club, they were near the bottom of the pack. Brown, however, was not disappointed.
“There were some of the top golfers in the area who played,” Brown said. “The medalist (Menlo-Atherton’s Nick Sako) shot 68. It was some real tough competition.”
Leung led Sobrato with 84, despite taking eight penalty strokes and four-putting a green. Kellett followed at 93. Live Oak’s team score was 506. San Benito, the Bulldogs’ next opponent shot 446.
Nevertheless, this is a team that started from scratch in December when Brown was appointed as coach. There was no team, no budget, no money, no uniforms. All he had was a sign-up sheet that announced a meeting and practice.
He was pleasantly surprised when 25 candidates signed up. Twenty remain, eight of who are playing varsity and the rest on the junior varsity. The golf team eventually got start-up money from the school’s Booster Club and a grant from CordeValle Golf Club.
Leung, the team captain, and Kellett are the leaders. Senior Robert Munoz, junior Ron Gifford, junior Ricky Hinman and sophomore Brandon Roth comprise the top-six golfers. Junior Michael Morin will also figure in the mix.
“Leung and Kellett are top players, legitimate varsity players,” Brown said. “Also, we have girls playing with the team since there is no girls team here.”
Brown is even fortunate to have three volunteer assistants — Joe Basulto and parents Rick Hinman and Paul Roth. It allows him to have varsity and JV competitions running concurrently.
“I expect us to be competitive,” Brown said. “We’re in the Santa Teresa Division and I think we can do well against those teams. We have really good kids. They were excited to win their first match.”
One of Brown’s goals is to have an annual match with Live Oak for a “king of Morgan Hill” type thing.
The Bulldogs’ next match is 2:30pm Thursday at Ridgemark Golf Club against San Benito.
live oak golf
Live Oak’s golf team is all about youth with 11 of its 12 underclassmen. That doesn’t mean fifth-year coach Tony Goble is looking at a rebuilding season.
“Our team is young but talented,” Goble said.
The Acorns started the season 1-1 as they transition from the Tri-County Athletic League to the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mt. Hamilton Division.
Sophomores David Cannon and Kevin Kjellsen are returning Central Coast Section qualifiers.
The team’s only senior is Ryan O’Rourke. Juniors are Danny Adamo, Tim Dronek and Kevin Mom. Matt Morgan is a sophomore. Alex Avon, Ryan and Zack Colton, Ross Donahay II and Alex Roman are freshmen.
“This lineup is solid,” Goble said. “Our golfers show a lot of promise. Our goal is to keep working and develop our team.”
