Burroughs boys’ golf singing in rain after second-place tournament finish
BURBANK — Rain wasn’t going to get in the way of one of the longest running high school golf tournaments in Southern California.
The Burroughs High boys’ golf team certainly wasn’t about to let the rain, fog and wet scorecards put a damper on its appearance at the 54th rendition of the Burbank Schools’ Invitational on Wednesday at De Bell Golf Club.
Backed by a pair of freshmen, Burroughs made the best of the tough conditions to finish second with a 329. Santa Monica won the 13-team tournament with a 326. Burroughs placed two strokes ahead of Hart.
“It’s a testament to how well we’ve been improving and it’s great to get second place on our home course,” said Burroughs coach Greg Everhart, whose team took 15th last season. “The guys were ready to play and they wanted it no matter what the conditions were from a weather standpoint or on the course.
“We’re so young and we have some very good up-and-coming players who did so well today. We came close to winning it, so it will be an excellent confidence boost the rest of the season.”
Johnny Son of Torrance finished first with a 73 and won the A flight competition. Santa Monica’s Michael Goldman had a 90 to win the B flight. Fifty-two players participated in the tournament.
Joaquin Herbozo, the head professional at De Bell, said there weren’t plans to postpone the tournament.
“I’ve been running the tournament for 16 years and we haven’t had to postpone it once in that time,” Herbozo said. “The only way we would not have played is if there was lightning in the area.
“The conditions were tough and the guys battled through it the whole time. The course conditions were excellent and the rain became an issue over the last four holes. The key to the tournament is the high school coaches and having them come here with their teams to play. The fact the players came here and played in the rain is a testament to them.”
Burroughs received a six-over-par 77 from freshman Kodiak Hernandez, a 78 from freshman Trey Sanchez and 87s from Jake Panikowski and Ryan McGowan.
“It’s great to come out here and play in a tournament that’s got a lot of history,” Hernandez said. “It’s definitely fun and exciting, even though the conditions were rough at times.
“I just had to play the way I’m capable of playing. My approach shots were pretty good. The greens were mostly puddles.”
Burroughs also had a second group that consisted of Rob Ceja (85), Jack Nitzsche (87) and Tyler Mashore (107).
Burbank, which finished fifth last season, had three players participate Wednesday and did not qualify for a team score. The Bulldogs received an 88 from Kevin Keinlen, a 108 from Billy Malipun and a 117 from Devin Blazon.
“Some of our guys were on spring break vacations, so it gave us a chance for some of our younger guys to play and get more experience,” Burbank coach Doug Grimshaw said. “It’s cool for our guys to be able to play in this tournament.
“It’s a tournament with an amazing history and has seen a lot of players do great things.”
Said Keinlen: “The course played OK. It was cold out there, but warmer on the front nine. I had some things work for me. It’s neat to play against a new group of players.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
