Just three matches into the Channel League season, the San Marcos boys golf team was in a virtual must-win situation on Tuesday if it wanted to keep its postseason hopes alive.
The Royals pulled through at their home course, scoring a 378-414 triumph over crosstown rival Dos Pueblos at La Cumbre Country Club to settle into a third-place tie with the Chargers.
Both the Royals and Chargers are now 1-2 in a league that sends its top two to CIF. The Chargers, at 5-2, still have a much better overall record than the Royals (3-6).
John Etsell and Dodge Ward were co-medalists thanks to one-over 72s.
Kyle Rieb (76), Scott Bradford (78) and Robby MacFarlane (80) filled out San Marcos’ winning card. For Etsell and Rieb it was the low score of the season so far.
The Chargers had an off day according to Rob Schiff, posting their highest score of the season in seven rounds.
“They gave us an old-fashioned whipping,” Schiff said, crediting San Marcos with stepping up when they needed to. “The way they played they deserved to win.”
Sean Dishman (76) and Lane Fuller (79) were the only Chargers to break 80.
SAN MARCOS 378, DOS PUEBLOS 414
at par-71 La Cumbre CC
Co-Medalists: John Etsell & Dodge Ward, 72
San Marcos – Etsell 72, Ward 72, Rieb 76, Bradford 78, MacFarlane 80.
Dos Pueblos – Dishman 76, Fuller 79, Yi 81, Kim 88, Daniels 90
