Santa Barbara High’s last defeat came almost a month ago to the very day. It also came against the very team the Dons were up against on Thursday.
Shane Lebow and the Dons showed they are a different team nowadays, putting together a 362-404 Channel League victory at Montecito Country Club.
Santa Barbara's Shane Lebow watches his put on the 18th hole at Montecito Country Club
“We just weren’t prepared when we came into that first match,” Lebow said, the match’s low man who carded a one-under 70. “I’m so glad we lost because it was a huge wakeup call to our team. ”
Santa Barbara (11-2, 4-1) has now won four straight matches since that 376-380 loss to the Royals (8-3, 3-2) at Sandpiper on March 16.
The 362 was the Dons’ lowest round at their home course this season. Santa Barbara had six golfers at 76 or under, even without No. 3 Ray Gerow. Sophomore Sean Searls posted his lowest round of his career at Montecito, a one-over 72, while senior Jack Perry contributed an even-par 71.
“I kind of just felt it from the beginning,” Searls said. “I was hitting the ball really well on the range.”
“It’s good that we got our confidence back and we’re playing a lot better now,” Lebow said, with an eagle in his pocket from the 7th hole to back it up. “We definitely got back to basic after that loss.”
Dodge Ward led San Marcos with a 77 and Scott Bradford followed with a 78.
The Royals were good, as each of the Royals’ scorers were under 84, but not good enough as each of Santa Barbara’s scores were under 76.
“We don’t have any committed athletes to D-I schools, so I think that kind of speaks for itself,” Ward said.
The Dons travel to Glen Annie on Tuesday to face Dos Pueblos in their next match while San Marcos moves on to a critical league matchup at home against Buena the same day.
SANTA BARBARA 362, SAN MARCOS 404
Medalist – Shane Lebow, SB, 70
SM Scores – Ward 77, Bradford 78, Rieb 82, White 83, Etsell 84.
SB Scores – Perry 71, Searls 72, Baur 73, Kirby 76, Mikles 76.
