It continues to be a season of firsts for the Santa Barbara High girls golf team.
The Dons earned their first CIF playoff berth in school history on Tuesday by beating San Marcos 241-253 at Santa Barbara Golf Club and clinching second place in the Channel League.
“It’s a first for us. It’s great for our program,” said coach Ryan Throop, whose team still has a shot at sharing their first Channel League title if they can pull off an upset next Tuesday against perennial league-champion Dos Pueblos.
Earlier this season, Santa Barbara accomplished another first in defeating the Royals at Montecito Country Club. But at SBGC, San Marcos made a much closer match of it on its home course.
Dons sophomore Haley True scored the low round with a 44 and was closely followed by playing partner Olivia Fanaro’s 45. The pair have been Santa Barbara’s top performers all season long.
“We help each other a lot,” said True of her freshman teammate. “We like to push each other.”
Senior Brianna Wiley, who was the Royals’ low scorer with a 45, had three birdies in her final high school match.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” said Wiley after her round.
Fellow San Marcos senior Cat Lefemine scored a 50 and freshman Alexandria Peretiako showed what’s to come from the Royals with a 48.
The Dons will head to River Ridge Golf Course on Nov. 10 for the Northern Division playoff. Individual playoffs are next Monday at Soule Park.
SANTA BARBARA 251, SAN MARCOS 263
(at par-36 Santa Barbara Golf Club)
Medalist: Haley True, SB, 44
Santa Barbara scores: True 44, Fanaro 45, Kirkwood 47, Laurain 48, Wagner 57.
San Marcos scores: Wiley 45, Peretiako 48, Lefemine 50, Barbosa 53, Blum 57
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