WOODLAND — One week after failing to lock down his second MVP award in the Valley Oak League, Lathrop High junior Christian Guzman rediscovered his groove in time to make school history on Monday.
He is the first Spartan to advance to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament, qualifying out of the Division III tourney with a 1-over-par 73 at Yolo Flier Country Club. And with only two teams and three individuals qualifying for Masters, Guzman is the last player standing from the loaded VOL.
Vista del Lago (394) claimed the Division III team title and Rio Americano beat out VOL runner-up Oakdale by a stroke for the second team berth. Guzman is joining Trey Davis (72) and Riley Bell (73), both of River Valley, as individuals at Masters. East Union freshman phenom Tyler Griggs, the VOL’s reigning MVP, and Tyler Ward of Central Catholic both finished with a 74 to just miss the cut.
Rio Americano’s Matt Sutherland was low medalist with a 71. The SJS Masters takes place next Monday, May 15 at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton. Ripon Christian made it as a team after winning the Division VI title Monday.
“This was kind of his revenge after missing out on league MVP,” Lathrop coach Cesar Fernandez said of Guzman. “Before the tournament last week he was slicing everything on the range and just couldn’t find it. The next day we went to the range and everything was out of whack.
“We were able to get him lined back up and he’s got his swing back.”
Guzman scored four birdies against five bogeys. Weston Ranch’s Lorenzo Galfo and Austin Thao carded an 84 and 88, respectively.
East Union competed in the divisional tournament as a team. Kyle Dorland followed Griggs’ solid round with an 81. Ezra Lendhardt turned in an 88, Braden Goodnough a 95 and Lucas Couch a 101. The Lancers totaled a 446, 41 strokes shy of Rio American’s qualifying score.
“We were hoping to at least get Tyler (Griggs) through, but this will be a good learning experience for him,” East Union coach Dennis Wells said.
Division V
SACRAMENTO — Ripon narrowly settled for second place for a second straight year, but with only the tourney champion qualifying for Masters the season has ended for the Trans-Valley League champion.
Bret Harte earned the Masters bid, outscoring the Indians, 439-445 at the Alister Mackenzie Course at Haggin Oaks. It took some impressive individual efforts on Bret Harte’s part. Low medalist Mitchell Mendes led the way with a 73, and he was backed by Nick Kristoff’s 75 along with an 84 from Mason Davis. The rest of the Bret Harte’s players finished in the 100s.
“To be honest, we played as well as we could and if we played in this tournament nine more times we’d win all nine,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “Their No. 2 doesn’t usually shoot a 75 and their No. 3 doesn’t shoot 84. They had an amazing day, and credit to them — they did it on the right day.”
Freshman Nico Ilardi paced Ripon with an 81. TVL MVP Rhet Herrin finished with an 86, and fellow seniors Justin Brito (91), Luis Candido (92) and Cole Stevens (95) also capped their careers for Ripon.
Division VI
STOCKTON — Ryan Garcia is heading back to Masters, only this time he’s bringing some friends with him.
Ripon Christian captured the SJS Division VI title, its second in three years, in exciting fashion Monday at Elkhorn Golf Club. The Knights beat Sacramento Adventist by three strokes on a playoff hole that decided which team would move on after both scored 500.
“I’m proud of the boys how they continued to fight even when things weren’t going their way,” Ripon Christian coach Lucas Van Dyn said. “It’s something that we prep for regularly. Just because the round might not be going your way individually, this is still a team sport and every stroke counts at the end of the day, so don’t lose focus and stay in it for the other guys on this team.”
Garcia led the Knights with a 91, and Danton Indelecato had a 96. Brett Doek (100), Drew Bakker (103) and Jesse Tazelaar (110) rounded out the team score.
