Santa Barbara High’s boys golf team opened its season on Monday in a four-team match-play tournament that saw the Dons take home the title and Mickey Kirby blast a 430-yard drive.
The Dons’ team total of 16 points edged Chaminade and Moorpark’s 14. Calabasas scored 8.
The unusual format had six golfers from each school playing two one-on-one rounds of nine holes each.
Kirby went 2-0 for the Dons and hit his monster drive on the 18th hole. The distance to the hole – which was downhill – was 445 yards and Kirby, aided by the wind at his back, ended up just in front of the green according to Dons head coach James Bedard.
Jonathan Collins won his two matches for Santa Barbara, which also benefited from wins by Alec Constantinides, Ryan Stoll and Rito Armenta.
“There was a lot of consistency among the team and we have to rely on our depth throughout this season to have success,” Bedard said. “This is a great start to the season but we have a tough schedule both in and out of league coming up.”
Santa Barbara competes again on Wednesday in Santa Ynez at the Alisal River Ranch course.
