Trojan golfers top Maples to keep early season run alive
WAYNESBURG – California kept its early season run alive Tuesday with a 185-199 Division II, Section 8 road victory over Mapletown at Rohanna’s Golf Course. California improved to 2-0 in the section and 3-0 overall to keep pace with Waynesburg Central as well as Carmichaels and Brownsville, two teams expected to vie for a playoff berth. Mapletown dropped to 0-2 in the section and 0-3 overall.
Tony Lent and Bryan Dunn, California’s No. 1 and 2 golfers, led the Trojans. Dunn fired a one-over-par 34 and Lent was a shot behind at 35 to give the visitors an early six shot advantage. Chris Petrick, Mapletown’s No. 1 golfer, shot a 37 (with an eagle on No. 6) while Zach Cumberland had a 38 in the No. 2 slot.
California extended its lead by a shot after the next foursome finished with Mike Bayer’s 40 edging Cory Dillinger’s 41. California’s Justin Schaum’s 41 and Mapletown’s Joe Clites’ 45 were thrown out.
Ahead by seven strokes with two scores left, the Trojans sealed the victory in the final foursome of the match. Chris Cross added another stroke to California’s lead with a 37-38 win over Chris Boord at No. 5. Jason Dayner’s 39 closed the door on the Maples, six strokes better than Matt Brown.
The victory buoyed the high hopes of Bill Fabri’s Trojans as they make their move to join the section elite and follow up last year’s playoff berth.
“This is the best team California has ever had in golf. If we are going to do anything, this is the year. They’re really committed this year. I’m proud of them,” Fabri said.
“I had two guys play what they should play. The other guys didn’t. This course is hard to read.”
After hosting West Greene at Carmichaels Golf Club Thursday, the Trojans have the meat of the schedule upon them next week with matches against Waynesburg Central and Carmichaels.
“Waynesburg Central is the ultimate team. They’re a class team. They play the game the way it should be played,” Fabri said.
In his first year as Mapletown coach, Craig Hoone is looking for steady improvement from match to match. The Maples shaved 13 strokes from their last match, the type of improved play Hoone is looking for.
“This is the best round we’ve shot here. We’re improving every time we’re going out,” Hoone said of his young team. “I’m looking for them to shave a stroke each match. They have the ability to shoot 40. They need consistency.”