Korth earns all-league spot
GLENDALE — After already securing a berth in the CIF Southern Section Western Team Divisional, the St. Francis High golf team was left to focus solely on individual performances in the Mission League finals on Thursday at the par-72 Harding Golf Course.
And despite boasting a young core of golfers with limited experienced, the Golden Knights hung with the league’s best to turn in some solid rounds.
Sophomore Vincent Korth led all Golden Knights finishers, garnering seventh place with a 148 (73-35) and earning all-league accolades in the process.
“Obviously to be one of the top seven of 49 in a great league is impressive and he’s got two more years,†said St. Francis Coach Jeff Durfee, whose club finished 10-7, 8-5 in league for fourth place.
In all, six St. Francis players were able to advance past Wednesday’s prelims at Wilson Golf Course and into Thursday’s finals.
Adrian Guy turned in a solid 75 on Thursday to finish with a two-round total of 152. Freshman Richie Maloof carded a 156 (78-78) and Chris Campbell fired a 157 (81-76) for the Golden Knights, who received a 159 (81-78) from Pat Degnan and a 163 from freshman Bobby Coffin (80-83).
“We played well,†Durfee said. “Two freshmen out there got experience. It’s great we had six of seven come back for individuals.â€
Crespi’s Chris Capo took home the league crown after he birdied the first playoff hole to outlast Harvard-Westlake’s Eli Cole.
Capo and Cole both finished with 141s to force the extra hole. Capo, Cole and Harvard-Westlake’s Glen Scher (143) earned the league’s top three spots to advance to the CIF Southern Section Northern Boys’ Individual Regional in Camarillo.
The Golden Knights will now turn their attention to the team divisional, where they finished fifth last season.
The divisional will be held at 8 a.m. Monday at Montebello Golf Course, a course St. Francis has yet to play on as a team.
“Obviously to be one of the top teams there is difficult,†Durfee said. “Just want to see them do well and get experience.â€