Indians, Bulldogs feel right at home

Jeff Tully

DE BELL GOLF COURSE -- There aren’t too many sports where home-field

advantage means as much as it does in golf.

Playing on one’s home course throughout the season gives a athlete an

advantage over visiting golfers who might not know all the nuances of the

venue.

Thursday, in a nonleague boys’ match against Saugus at De Bell

Municipal Golf Course, host Burroughs was feeling right at home, as the

Indians came away with a 399-415 victory in 18 holes.

In the junior varsity competition, the Indians pulled out a 46-1-477

win.

The Indians and Centurians were not the only players invading the

course. Also competing was Burbank, which had a nonleague match with La

Puente Bishop Amat.

The Bulldogs won the nine-hole contest, 208-243.

“I definitely think it is an advantage for our players when we play at

our home course,” said Burroughs’ Shaughn Crawford said. “Playing here so

much you learn what to do and what not to do on the course.”

Although Saugus (7-13) is a Foothill League opponent, often the league

teams will play one another throughout the course of the season in

head-to-head nonleague matches.

For Burroughs (7-7) Coach Mike Krose, packing in as many contests as

possible is the best way to get his team prepared for a run at a CIF

Southern Section playoff bid.

“It will take continued improvement and consistency for us to qualify

for CIF again this year,” said Krose, whose team finished third in league

last year.

“So far, I would say that we are doing well, but we still need to

continue to improve.”

On a cold day that featured intermittent sprinkles, Crawford made the

most of his home digs, shooting a four-over-par 75 to capture low

medalist honors.

Crawford shot a blistering 34 on the front nine to lead the field. He

followed that with a 41 on the back nine.

Indian Mike Vahoviak also shot well and battled Crawford for the top

spot. He finished with a 76.

Burroughs’ Jason Buttress shot a 79, Jon Hellebrandt had an 82, David

Hamanaka had an 87 and Brad Jastrow had an 89.

“I am very happy with the play of Vahoviak, Crawford and Buttress,

they have been consistent all year,” Krose said. “John Hellebrandt has

been putting together some fine scores, as has sophomore David Hamanaka,

who has been a pleasant surprise.”

Saugus was led by Wes Sivestri, who shot a 79.

For the Indian junior varsity team, Paul Lundquist led the way with an

89, teammate Rob Stonecipher shot a 91, J.B. Myer had a 93, Jake Kennedy

and Jeremy Balan had a 94s and Robert Enriquez had a 105.

The Bulldogs (4-11) were paced by Danny Barber, who shot a

three-over-par 38. Teammate Steve Lim shot a 38, Ajay Clark had a 41 and

Brandon Maskell had a 45.

On Wednesday at 8 a.m., Burroughs -- along with cross-town rival

Burbank -- will be back at De Bell to take part in the 40th annual High

School Invitational Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Burbank Men’s Golf

Club.

Unfortunately for the Indians, they will be without Crawford and

Vahoviak, who will be out of town for spring break.