Indians golfer makes it to CIF
BURBANK — There was elation as well as disappointment for a pair of Burroughs High junior boys’ golfers at the Pacific League individual finals.
While one Indians punched his ticket to the CIF Southern Section Individual Tournament, the other missed qualifying by just one stroke.
The drama unfolded Wednesday at Brookside Golf Course No. 2, where the league’s top athletes were vying for not only the league individual title, but a chance to advance to the individual event.
Burroughs’ Kelsey Danzeisen was able to advance, as he placed fifth with a nine-over-par 79 on the final day. The scores from the league prelims and finals, plus the three lowest scores from the first four regular-season matches of the season, determined who would advance to the postseason.
“Kelsey has just worked so hard and he’s really come a long way since last year,” Burroughs Coach Greg Everhart said. “I believe he came in either 15th or 16th last year, and that’s quite a move up for him.”
Everhart said it was nice to see Danzeisen able to earn a spot in the individual event.
“He’s so excited, and it’s nice to see his face really shine bright knowing that he was able to advance,” Everhart said. “It’s pretty cool.”
Unfortunately for Danzeisen’s teammate, Chris Kesicbasian, he came up a little short, placing seventh with a 79 on Wednesday, missing the cut by a single stroke.
“I feel really badly for Chris because he came so close, and to miss by just one stroke is really heartbreaking,” Everhart said. “And what makes it worse is that the same thing happened to him last season when he missed it by I think just two strokes. I really, really feel for him.
“But you know, he’s really a class act. He took this as graciously as he does when he wins. I know he was hurting over this, but he went over and congratulated the other guys who did make it. He’s just a great kid and that told me a lot about him.”
Richard Jeong of Arcadia took the league title, as he fired a 74 in the individual finals. Also joining the group that is moving on is Evin Davis of Pasadena and Bryan Shin and Clayton Ojeda of Arcadia.
That group will compete in the CIF Individual Tournament, which will be held at 1 p.m. May 16 at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo.
Burbank’s Kenny Cunanan placed eighth after shooting an 80 on Wednesday.
As a team, Burroughs also earned a postseason spot by finishing second in the Pacific League behind champion Arcadia. Crsecenta Valley placed third and Burbank was fourth. The four teams will participate in the CIF Northern Team Divisional at Soule Park in Ojai on Monday.