D’Aquila, Ballard share first place in Pacific League boys’ golf match
Despite gusty winds and debris covering parts of the fairways and greens at De Bell Golf Club, Louis D’Aquila and Trey Ballard overcame the unfavorable conditions.
Their reward was tying for first in the sixth Pacific League boys’ match of the season.
D’Aquila of Burroughs High and Ballard of Crescenta Valley carded five-over-par 76s on Thursday.
“I’ve been golfing here for a long time and I’ve never really seen it this windy before,” said D’Aquila, a senior who finished first in a league match at De Bell on March 30. “Three trees were blowing and there were leaves on the course and it made it a bit harder to play through.
“These were just very challenging conditions in that you never knew if the wind was for you or against you. I just had to keep hitting the ball well. It’s more confidence for me moving forward.”
Ballard, a senior, said the conditions forced an emphasis on the short game.
“I really didn’t think the wind was with me all that much,” Ballard said. “My putting really worked for me and I needed my short game to work out well.
“It’s great to get first place. I’m just trying to improve each round and get stronger going in to the league tournament.”
The league’s team final will be held at noon Tuesday at Griffith Park’s Wilson Course in Los Angeles. The individual finals, which will feature the top 16 finishers from Tuesday, will be held at noon Wednesday at Griffith Park’s Harding Course.
Arcadia, which won the league championship, finished first with a 426 on Thursday. Burroughs finished second at 430, followed by Burbank (449). Crescenta Valley had just three players, as three other players on the team had previous engagements.
Burroughs received an 83 from Jake Panikowski, an 85 from Rob Ceja, 92 from Dylan Roy and a 94 from Aaron Cohen.
Burbank was led by Louie Calzado, who carded an 87.
“I just did what I could playing through the wind,” Calzado said. “I had to hit my shots lower than usual to have a chance instead of hitting it high and the ball being knocked down by the wind.
“It’s one of those times where you also needed a good short game to try to survive.”
Burbank also got 88s from Cole Pendarvis and Hayden Chase, a 91 from Niko Coccio and a 95 from Nick Toczek.
Crescenta Valley received an 85 from Peter Kim and a 90 from Dro Gharapetian.
Elis Alaan carded an 81 for Glendale.
“These were some of the most challenging conditions I’ve ever had to play in,” Alaan said. “It’s a situation where you just had to adjust very fast and also have a good short game. I think that was the case for all of the groups.
“I’m trying to get better and I feel good about my game going into next week. I think having a good short game will be the key. I just need to stay relaxed and keep my mind clear.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
