Starting the year at the same course where it finished last season as CIF State Champions, the Santa Barbara boys golf team opened its 2011 campaign by winning the Central Coast Invitational at Santa Maria Country Club.
The Dons, behind a 2-over 74 from sophomore newcomer Jonathan Collins, scored 379. Stockdale was second with 390 followed by Righetti at 391 and Dos Pueblos at 401.
“It’s a really good start to our season,” Santa Barbara coach James Bedard said. “Nobody really knew what we had. We lost four really talented four-year varsity golfers.”
Collins, a transfer from Walnut, James Morton (75) and Alec Constantinides (81, thrown out) were making their SBHS varsity debuts, joining returnees Sean Searles (75), Mickey Kirby (76) and Spencer Mikles (79).
“The boys played tough, they were focused. I think the strength will be our depth,” said Bedard. “There were three guys who hadn’t played a varsity match for us and for them to post good scores gets the monkey off their back. They can focus on having fun and being more competitive.”
Bedard said opening the year and winning again at Santa Maria County Club was like the program coming full circle.
“It was a fitting beginning,” he said.
At par 72 Santa Maria CC
Central Coast Invitational
Santa Barbara 379, Stockdale 390, Righetti 391, DP 401.
SB: Jonathan Collins 74, Sean Searls, 75, James Morton 75, Mickey Kirby 76, Spencer Mikles 79, Alec Constantinides 81.
