Boys golf: Season comes to an end at NCS stage
Golf is a great walk spoiled, or so the old saying goes. Monday’s walk was a good way to end the season, as several Marin golfers turned in competitive scores at the North Coast Section Division I Tournament.
“One of the most comfortable places I can be is the golf course,” Branson’s Ryan Herbst said. “When I’m out there, I can talk freely. Even though it is stressful, especially while competing, golf is the most comfortable place where I am.”
Herbst had a solid day during Monday’s tournament at Antioch’s Lone Tree Golf Club. He shot a 6-over-par 78, but failed to qualify for the NorCal Tournament. Branson teammate Charlie Farrell finished at 81.
Golfers needed to shoot even-par just to have a chance to advance to the CIF NorCal Tournament. Joey Hayden had the low score of the day at Monday’s NCS Tournament with a 65, to lead his squad to the team title. Dougherty Valley and Foothill finished second and third to also advance as teams to the NorCal Tournament.
Athenian’s Austin Wang shot a 72 — which turned out to be the cutoff for NorCal qualifiers.
Redwood’s Jack Mount and Damian Wabl both came close to qualifying, each with a solid 77. The Giants fielded a full team, including Arjun Aujla (79), Brody Root. (83), Thomas James Givas (85), and Pasha Fooman (102). The Giants finished third at the MCAL Tournament.
Archie Williams’ Drake Parrish Smith carded an 83 Monday.
“I’ve played golf pretty much my whole life and played a lot of competitive golf, which makes it not too stressful for me,” Herbst said. “I’ve gone through winning and losing, but it’s calming. It feels good to know the time I’m putting in is paying off.”
All that hard work is paying off for Branson boys golf, after the team won the MCAL regular season title and the North Coast Section Division II title. The team will lose seniors Jack Rende and Cooper Hoffman, but with Herbst and Farrell leading a squad that could including returning members Aria Saluja and Jonathan Evers, the Bulls are hoping for greater success next season.
“This year we had a really good team and we were able to show it,” Farrell said. “Everything is finally paying off and we’re finally able to play matches for more than just fun. It’s not just two of us. The hard work everyone has put in this season has been really cool. … For our two seniors who have been at Branson for four years, and knowing it’s their last season, I’m glad we’re going out with a bang.”
Tam’s Ben Friedman qualified for Monday’s tournament, but had already committed to compete in a U.S. Open qualifier the same day.
Farrell joined the field in another U.S. Open qualifier at Ruby Hill Golf Club last week, but did not make the cut as he finished 4-over par to tie for 23rd.
“I’ve been focusing on my short game, inside 100 yards. I know where I need to swing to in order to get within 80 yards,” Farrell said. “If the hole is a short par 4, I know I could walk out with a birdie. I just have to get that short game to where I’m confident I can hit a good shot. But I’ve been struggling with my swing for the past month and I’ve been figuring it out again. I play aggressively when I play golf, but my game is not quite where I want it to be.”