Jack Perry’s 68 was the linchpin in Santa Barbara’s boys golf victory over San Marcos on Thursday, a 368-393 decision at Montecito Country Club that was the Channel League opener for both teams.
“Perry’s just playing great right now,” observed Dons head coach James Bedard. “It’s something we started to see a little bit of last year, it’s like he’s taking his game to a new level.”
In three matches so far season, Perry is a combined 7-under par and has recorded only two bogeys over the last 36 holes. He owns nine birdies during the stretch, including four on Thursday.
“You can salvage a lot when you have one guy who can go real low,” added Bedard.
Santa Barbara, who San Marcos coach Dave Siordia considers a CIF favorite, also got low scores from Shane Lebow (72), Ray Gerow (74), John Baur (76) and Mason Field (78).
The Royals were led by Scott Bradford’s 76. Freshman Thayer White and John Etsell also broke 80, both carding 78s.
Siordia said the Royals fared well, especially on the front nine. But the Dons distanced themselves on the back nine on their home course. Bedard credited getting in six holes at Montecito the day before as giving the Dons the advantage on the greens because they were unusually fast.
Both the Royals and the Dons will play at the Harvard-Westlake Invitational which begins on Friday.
SANTA BARBARA 368, SAN MARCOS 393
Medalist: Jack Perry, 68
Santa Barbara – Shane Lebow 72, Ray Gerow 74, John Baur 76, Mason Field 78, Micky Kirby 82.
San Marcos – Dodge Ward 81, Thayer Whte 78, John Etsell 78, Scott Bradford 76, Jarrod Speier 81, Kyle Rieb 80.
