Spring Break marked the halfway point of a very busy high school boys golf season, and there are several league races worth following as play resumes. In golf, only league champions get an automatic bid into CIF Southern Section postseason play.
Big VIII League
King is undefeated in league play, but by the narrowest of margins, in its quest for a four-peat. On March 21 at General Old Golf Course, the Wolves hosted Santiago and nine holes of play were completed with each side shooting a 208 (+28). League bylaws specify using the sixth score as a tiebreaker, allowing King to win, 43-47.
Justin Gousikul led the Wolves with a three-over-par round of 39, while Chase Slarvin’s round of 43 broke the tie.
It also took a sixth-man tiebreaker to settle the match between Roosevelt and Norco after they finished tied at 209 (+34). Roosevelt stayed a match behind King after prevailing 53-62.
King will play their three toughest matches on the road during second round of league play, visiting Goose Creek Golf Club in Mira Loma for rematches with Roosevelt (Thursday) and Norco (April 18). Their rematch against Santiago will be on April 23 at Glen Ivy Golf Club, the same day that Norco and Roosevelt meet for their rematch.
Ambassador League
After sharing the league championship last year, Linfield Christian is off to an undefeated start in its title defense at 5-0.
The Lions defeated Woodcrest Christian 209-219 in their season opener at General Old Golf Course on February 26, and on March 13 prevailed 198-200 against Arrowhead Christian at Redlands Country Club.
Alfredo Guerra and Luke Bohmer were CIF-SS Individual Championship finalists a year ago. They return to try to lead the Lions to consecutive titles. Guerra shot a 38 in the win over Woodcrest Christian, while Bohmer carded a 40.
Linfield Christian will be at home at CrossCreek Golf Club in Temecula for rematches against Woodcrest Christian on April 17 and Arrowhead Christian on April 22 .
Southwestern League
Defending champion Murrieta Valley faced Great Oak on March 19, with the Nighthawks prevailing 205-212 at a windy Bear Creek Golf Club in the league opener.
Brayden Gilpin, Clay Yarboro, and Travis McSparran are all averaging 40 or lower for the Nighthawks, based on available scores through two matches of league play.
Murrieta Valley is 4-0 in league after a186-209 win over Chaparral, putting the Nighthawks a match clear of the Pumas and two clear of Great Oak. The Chaparral-Murrieta Valley rematch will be on April 23 at Murrieta’s Golf Club of Rancho California.
Citrus Belt League
On April 2, Yucaipa defeated Redlands 193-233 in the first of their two Citrus Belt League meetings and moved to 3-0 in Citrus Belt League play. They’ll face off again at Yucaipa Valley Golf Club on April 18.
Tyler Price shot a 33 to lead the Thunderbirds, while Seth Looy and Eli Gonzalez added rounds of 38 and 39, respectively.
Baseline League
Los Osos is undefeated in league play at 3-0 after a 194-230 win over Damien on April 1 at Sierra Lakes Golf Course in Fontana.
The Grizzlies have also posted a 191 at San Bernardino’s Shandin Hills Golf Course against Etiwanda and a 192 against Rancho Cucamonga to comfortably find themselves in first place.
Andy Yu leads the Grizzlies with a 36.5 nine-hole average, while Jonathan Nolasco, Noah Monsale, and Preston Brown are averaging between 39 and 40 shots.
Los Osos plays Etiwanda (Wednesday) and Rancho Cucamonga (Thursday) in its two biggest tests of the league season.
Palomares League
Claremont and Bonita are undefeated in league play at 4-0.
Claremont’s toughest match so far was a 202-214 win against Glendora at Glendora Country Club on March 19. Bonita posted a 218-232 win over Alta Loma for its closest win.
The two contenders will meet each other on April 17 and 18 at Marshall Canyon Golf Course in La Verne.
Will Middleton leads Claremont with a 35.7 scoring average, while teammates TJ Holstrom and Ethan Luna are posting 37.7 and 39 strokes, respectively. Bonita’s top player is Aaron Duran with a 37.3 average.
