Season comes to a close for St. Francis and Crescenta Valley golf teams at CIF
As expected, the Mission League proved again to be among the elite in boys’ golf across Southern California this season.
The top four teams from the league, which included St. Francis High, showcased their talent when they participated in the CIF Southern Section Central Team Divisional on Monday at Lakewood Golf Course.
Unfortunately for St. Francis, its season came to a close after it carded a 383 to place fifth in the 19-team event.
Mission League members Loyola and Harvard-Westlake finished first and second with a 367 and 371, respectively, to advance to the CIF individual and Southern California Qualifying Tournament at 8 a.m. May 27 at Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, of the Mission League, had a 380 to finish fourth.
Crescenta Valley finished in a three-way tie for 11th with San Marino and West Ranch at the Northern Team Divisional at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai.
St. Francis, which finished second in the Mission League behind Loyola, received an even-par 72 from Michael Finney.
The Golden Knights also got a 73 from Johnny Brandt, 76 from Michael Mozilo, 80 from Stian Lintvedt and 82 from Jack Tenney.
St. Francis Coach Kyle Ostrom said the Golden Knights had some good efforts.
“Michael Finney and Johnny Brandt really played well throughout,” said Ostrom, the reigning All-Area Boys’ Golf Coach of the Year. “Those guys, along with Michael Mozilo, all had great scores.
“Some of our guys just struggled a bit coming into the final six or seven holes. There were some low scores out there and our league got four top-five finishes. That tells you how strong our league really is.”
Crescenta Valley registered a 410, however the Falcons lost in a tiebreaker to West Ranch and San Marino, both of whom had lower sixth scorers. West Ranch’s sixth scorer had an 88, compared to a 91 from San Marino and 92 from Crescenta Valley.
The Falcons, who placed second in the Pacific League behind rival Arcadia, got a 77 from Cody Renfro, 79 from David Holeman, 81 from AJ Roa, 91 from Tanner Schilling and 92 from Trey Ballard. Schilling, who spent most of the season on the junior varsity team, notched an eagle on the par-5 18th hole.
“I really didn’t have high expectations coming into the round,” Crescenta Valley Coach Lee Pope said. “We were without a couple of our top players, but it gave a chance for some of our younger players to go out there and compete and get a taste of what it’s like in the playoffs.
“I’m quite proud of the way they hung in there. The winds were a little gusty and the greens were lightning quick.”
Crescenta Valley competed without Paul Park, a reigning All-Area pick, and Brandon Cho. Pope said Park had a previous engagement and declined to reveal why Cho didn’t compete.
The top four teams from the qualifier will advance to the Regional State Qualifier on June 2 at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.
