Kripa Dharan, Charlie Hsieh and Seth Pope each birdied the first hole at Woodbridge Golf and Country Club on Monday, setting the stage for Menlo School’s boys golf team to finish second in the NCGA/CIF Northern California Championship and earn a bid into the state tournament, a first in school history.
Jeremy Yun, John Weingart and WBAL Golfer of the Year Max Ting shot par on the first hole, giving the Knights a solid start. They eventually scored 378 as a team, one stroke behind De La Salle. St. Francis finished third and all three schools advance to the state tournament on Wednesday, May 30 at the San Gabriel Country Club.
Ting, who advanced to the state tourney as an individual last season, and fellow senior Weingart, will be able to play their final round of high school with their teammates.
“It was truly a team win,” Dharan said. “Throughout the season, we’ve taken turns. We’ve all had our good matches and all had our bad matches. I’m just glad it all came together today. It’s certainly been a great experience.”
Dharan, a sophomore who had the high score at the CCS finals, led Menlo with a round of 73. He was at 3-under following his fourth birdie of the day on the 12th hole. He finished tied for sixth.
“Its a great honor to be the first Menlo team to get to state,” said Dharan, who missed part of the season due to injury but has since climbed back with a rapid ascent at season’s end.
Yun, a freshman, with a strong finish, carded a 75 for a six-way tie for 13th. He had four bogeys through eight holes, but then shot even-par the rest of the way, including two birdies.
On two holes, the 170-yard 11th and 202-yard 13th, both par 3, Weingart did what none of his teammates could accomplish and birdied both holes. He finished with a 76.
Ting also shot 76, as both seniors were in a group of five who tied for 19th. Ting recorded a pair of birdies.
Juniors Charlie Hsieh carded a 78, which included two birdies and Seth Pope shot an 81 with one birdie.
With early tee times and one of the first teams back in the clubhouse, the Knights had to wait about 90 minutes before they knew they qualified.
“It was very interesting,” Dharan said. “I think we were all a little nervous because we didn’t play as well as we thought we could have. I was glad that we started early though, so we could see how it played out.”
Menlo-Atherton sophomore Jackson Lee played as an individual and shot a round of 85, tying him for 68th. He was at 6-over following the 16th hole.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports