Notre Dame, Alemany Share Mission Title

A more fitting finish could not have been possible in the Mission League.

After a season of clawing and scratching their way to narrow league victories and splitting two matches, Alemany and Notre Dame Highs were crowned co-champions Wednesday when Alemany claimed a one-stroke victory over the Knights in the league final at Wilson Golf Course in Griffith Park.

The Indians, who were upset by Loyola by two strokes in a league match Monday, needed to defeat Notre Dame Wednesday to forge a co-championship. Brian Woolf and Mike Scott each shot one-over-par 73, paving the way for a 392-393 victory.

Loyola’s 401 was good enough to pass St. Francis, which shot 451, for third place. Notre Dame, Alemany and Loyola advance to the Southern Section Northern regional Monday at San Luis Obispo Country Club.

“We really needed this after that Loyola match,” Alemany Coach Jim Bonds said. “I’m real proud of the way the guys just put that behind them and got this done.”

Notre Dame finished the league season with a 15-1 record. Alemany was 14-2. One point is awarded for each regular season victory and the tournament was worth four points to the winner, three for second, leaving both teams with 18 points.

“We didn’t even consider that we would lose to Loyola,” said Scott, who shot his season-best round in the final. “We thought we would be coming here to win the title outright.”

Alemany has won or shared the title in each of the last four seasons. Notre Dame last won in 1992.

The top 15 individuals from the tournament carry over to the individual tournament Friday at Harding Golf Course to battle for four spots in the Southern Section Individual tournament May 31 at Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier.

Woolf, defending league champion, had five birdies but three-putted for bogey five times and is tied with Scott for the individual lead.

David Hanson of Harvard-Westlake is third after a 75 and Tommy Barber and Kevin Coghlan of Notre Dame are tied for fourth at 76.