GOLF SPORTS SHORTS 2010–
(Latest golf shorts will be at the top of the section. Scroll down to check out past results. Tournament matches do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for golf features)

For the 2010 schedule, check out Highschoolsports.net. The Eagles are currently 8-4 overall and 4-0 in the West Sequoia League as of May 10. The Eagles will next compete in the Central Section Valley Championship Tournament at River Island Country Club, May 18.

GOLF 2010

FC WINS NORTH DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP–May 10
The Eagles fired a 419 to defeat the Yosemite Badgers (446) and advance to the Central Section Valley Team Championship, May 18 at River Island Country Club.

“While we were looking good versus Yosemite after the front nine, it was the back nine that really separated us today,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “We had four back nine scores of 42 or better, including Jeffrey Roseth?s even-par 36. Our 205 total on the back was one of our strongest nines of the year and finished the job today.”

Sophomores Jeff Roseth and Tyler Zaentz shot 75’s to lead FC to their second straight North Area Championship. Both players earned the right to advance to the Central Section Valley Championship at Ridge Creek Golf Course, May 24.

“We have not had an individual qualifier before, so this is a bonus to wind up with two,” Hopper said. “I think both have a good chance of putting together a score worthy of advancing from there to Southern State.”

The Eagles will next compete in the Central Section Valley Championship Tournament at River Island Country Club, May 18.

EAGLES TAKE ON TRACY COUNTRY CLUB–April 26
In order to provide extra tournament experience for his team, head coach Jeff Hopper signed FC up for the Tracy Invitational, March 26. The Eagles shot 441 on the unfamiliar layout which included deep rough, and quick greens. The tournament featured 19 teams and over 100 players.

“This trip was meant to give the guys a chance at a new course against a number of schools we don?t normally play,” Jeff Hopper said. “Some of those schools outdid us greatly on the golf course, others did not. But the real winner was the course, which had thick rough and tough-to-read greens. The challenge, though, should make what?s coming in the days ahead seem quite a bit easier, though.”

By shooting 398, Moreau Christian took first place overall. The No. 1 player from Ripon won the tournament with a 67, while Moreau Christian’s No. 1 shot 74.

Sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot a 5-over 77, which tied for third place overall. His total included an even-par front nine and three birdies.

To provide an added twist to the tournament, the coaches were allowed to play. Hopper shot an 80 in his first competitive round for the Eagles. Senior Spencer Lee shot 81 to finish in the top 15 for the tournament.

The Eagles will compete in the North Area Tournament, May 10.

FC HANGS TOUGH ON SOGGY COURSE–April 22
It was FC’s day at Madera Municipal Golf Course, April 22. Not only did the Eagles win their third straight league championship after shooting a combined 393, they also crowned their first ever West Sequoia League Champion sophomore Tyler Zaentz.

“It feels good,” Zaentz said. “I was proud of myself. I had a double bogey on the 5th hole and my rounds are usually very good when that happens, and I played three under the rest of the way.”

Zaentz shot a 1-under 71 and posted 146 for the 36 hole tournament. He opened with a bogey but held it together on the front nine to shoot 37.

The Eagles’ no. 1 player then turned it around on the back with a blistering 34 that secured the title. Zaentz improved on his tie for second in last years’ League Tournament.

Sophomore Jeff Roseth finished in second place at 147, after tying for medalist honors with a 71, while senior Spencer Lee shot 73 and finished third at 154. Roseth made 5 birdies and 4 bogeys, but missed a crucial 2-footer on the final hole that would have forced a playoff with Zaentz.

“The last hole was disappointing, but I played pretty good overall,” Roseth said. “I made a few mistakes coming in and that costed me a chance at the playoff.”

Head coach Jeff Hopper told his team before the round that four or five teams had a shot at winning the DII Valley Championship, stressing the need to not waste unnecessary strokes. Hopper was pleased with the players’ response.

“With both Tyler and Jeff playing under par today, it was competition at its highest level,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “I am very proud of both guys, as well as Spencer, who came into today tied for third and ended up 11 shots ahead of the fourth-place player.”

Senior Clark Jacobson also medaled for the Eagles, shooting 84 to finish in 5th place. The 5th place medal he earned capped a four-year varsity career with the Eagles.

“I wasn?t really expecting this today, as we?ve been developing slowly this year and the course was a rain-soaked mess,” Hopper said. “But I am really excited for the guys, that they could step up even when the competition wasn?t pushing them.”

The Eagles will compete in the Tracy Tournament, April 26.

FC EDGES YOSEMITE IN RYDER CUP FORMAT–April 19
Despite trailing to the Badgers, 3 1/2 to 5 1/2, the Eagles turned it around and won one of the most dramatic matches in Eagle golf history by a narrow 11-10 margin, April 19.

The two teams played Ryder Cup format, at the Eagles’ home course Riverside Golf Course. The players competed in alternate shot, best-ball, and singles match play for 6 holes each.

For more information check out Eagles, Badgers stage thriller golf match.

The Eagles will compete in the West Sequoia League Championship, April 21.

EAGLES CLINCH LEAGUE TITLE–April
Sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot a even-par 36, and FC won the the West Sequoia League Title shooting 213.

“Tyler shot a very solid even-par 36 at Lemoore Golf Course, which gives him a combined 75 for the first 18 holes of our league individual competition,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “Jeffrey?s 39 had a bad finish to it, but it keeps him with a shot of Tyler.”

Dos Palos senior Aaron Walker shot a season-low 38, while sophomore Jeff Roseth finished with 39. Zaentz leads the league Individual tournament at 2-over par through 18 holes.

Roseth is one back at 3-over, and Walker and senior Spencer Lee are tied for third at 8-over.

“As a team overall, with sub-50 efforts from both Tim and Clark, we posted a very respectable 213 and have now won all three league mini-tournaments, guaranteeing that the league title will stay with FC for the third straight year,” Hopper said. “Congrats to all the guys on this great effort!”

FC will next play Yosemite at Riverside Golf Course, April 19.

FC STANDS ATOP WEST SEQUOIA LEAGUE–April 6
Over the past two seasons, the Eagles have proven they are the best team in the West Sequoia League by winning back-to-back titles. They did so once again, shooting 221, on Riverside’s back 9, to defeat Dos Palos (269) and Riverdale (289), April 6.

Sophomore Jeff Roseth started smoothly, and cruised to a level par 37. Sophomore Tyler Zaentz finished with 39 despite working through some swing problems, and senior Spencer Lee shot 40.

Zaentz made 2 bogeys and a birdie on the downhill par-4 13th to finish with a solid number. Lee opened with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 10th hole, then played the remaining 8 holes 1-under par to post 3-over.

“It was a bit tough to get out there today and play a nine holes we hadn’t seen too often,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “Our top guys responded well, though. The three of them stand atop the league standings.”

The round was the first 9 holes of the 36 hole League Individual Championship. Senior Clark Jacobson is currently in 6th place overall after shooting 48.

FC leads the team championship with 8 points overall. Riverdale and Dos Palos are in a tie for 2nd with 5, and Fowler is in 4th place with 2.

FC will next play against Hoover in a practice match, April 8, 2 p.m.

YOSEMITE GRABS LEAD IN POWERPLAY FORMAT–March 25
Yosemite proved the better team on their home course, grabbing a 5 1/2-1/2 lead in a two-part match at Sierra Meadows, March 25. The teams will meet again at the Eagles’ home course, Sierra Meadows to wrap-up the match, April 13.

The teams used the powerplay format in the match. Powerplay, a fairly new format, used in the First Tee Program, forces players to decided whether to play to a diabolical pin position or to one that is more accessable. Higher points are awarded if the player birdies the tougher pin position. On top of powerplay, the players went out in three best-balls matches.

“We used a very innovative format today against a team we play closely, and sure enough, the results were very close. A putt falling on the ninth or eighteenth hole in either of a couple of matches could have easily flipped this score. When we meet again in a couple of weeks, we?ll have some coming back we need to do to hunt them down.”

As a team FC shot 419 while their opponents finished with 432, however Yosemite controlled two of three best-ball matches.

Sophomore Jeff Roseth shot 77 and sophomore Tyler Zaentz 78 for FC. Yosemite was led by senior Tyler LaQuay.

“Pretty much everyone had at least one good nine today according to his ability,” Hopper said. “This good individual play combined on the front nine resulted in an exceptionally strong 205 total, among our best ever for nine holes on a par-36 course.”

The Eagles will next play in a West Sequoia League Mini-tournament, April 6.

EAGLES COLLECT OPENING LEAGUE WIN–March 24
Junior Tim Degroot fired a new career low 41, and FC shot 203 to handily defeat Riverdale (248) and Dos Palos (256) at Airways Golf Course, March 24.

“Airways is always a nice place to take aim at a low score, especially if your wedges are working,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “Tim had his career best nine holes. He also jumped onto our birdie board with his first of the season on the first hole.”

DeGroot, who was standing in the middle of the 8th fairway at only 3-over par, said the word going through his mind was “glory.”

“It felt nice to actually be in a good round and shoot in the low 40s again,” DeGroot said. “When I finished just 2 strokes behind Jeff it was like the greatest thing on earth.”

Sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot 35 to win medalist honors and senior Spencer Lee finished with 37 on the par-34 nine overlooking Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.

Tyler came through as our medalist today,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “As most golfers do, he looked for more, thinking he could have shot 33 or better. It?s fine with me, though, if he left a couple of birdies out there for tomorrow?s big match with Yosemite.”

After opening their season with consecutive losses, the win brought the Eagles’ record back to .500 at 3-3. FC will next take on Division III rival Yosemite, March 25, 1 p.m.

DeGroot will be paired with junior Alex Campama for the best-ball format.

“I’m hoping to shoot low again,” Degroot said. “It’ll be alot of fun playing in a group with Alex. Thankfully I don’t have to play alternate shot with him.”

EAGLES DEFEAT IMMANUEL IN MODIFIED STABLEFORD FORMAT–March 18
With key players from both teams missing, FC proved strong enough to take down Immanuel 76-51 in modified Stableford format, March 18. With the win, the Eagles improved to 2-3 on the season.

“Some of our guys, especially those who came out late, are just settling into the groove, getting their short games in shape and finding ways to save shots,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “We need more of this. We?ll keep looking for good results as the play gets more consistent. We are hitting the ball better as a whole, and that will lead to better scores.”

Sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot a 2-over 38 to lead the Eagles to just their second victory of the season.

“Tyler has had to do some swing repair as our season has started,” Hopper said. “Today his 38, with seven pars, showed that the improvement was kicking in.”

Zaentz says he benefits from playing against teammates in practice.

“It was fun that we played a different kind of match. And it was nice to actually play well again,” Zaentz said. “And I’m happy to have Jeff on the team because we have good competition and it makes us both better.”

The Eagles will next play against Fowler, Dos Palos, and Riverdale in their first West Sequoia League outing, a 9-hole mini-tournament at Airways, March 24, 2 p.m.

CLOVIS NORTH DOMINATES MATCH PLAY FORMAT–March 17
Led by sophomore Tommy Lutton, Clovis North buried the Eagles 5 1/2-1/2 at Riverbend Golf Course, March 17.

Sophomore Jeff Roseth led the Eagles with a 40 but lost 3&2 to Broncos’ junior TJ Masters who shot 38. Roseth hit his opening drive out-of-bounds left to lose the first hole, and missed a 2-footer to lose the second.

He hit a 7-iron second shot into the par-5 fourth to set up a birdie, however Masters chipped in for birdie and the tie. Roseth would not win a single hole on the day.

Despite shooting his average score of 46, senior Clark Jacobson could not hang with Lutton in the match-up of No. 3s. Lutton won the first 5 holes to end the match 5&4 in the minimum amount of holes. His even par round led all players.

In match No. 2, sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot 41 and halved with Clovis North sophomore Ryan Corbin who had 43.

“Tyler didn’t play that well and he halved his match, Jeff played pretty good and he lost,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “Thats how it goes in match play sometimes. There’s not a whole lot to say about this match. (No matter what) Clovis North was going to blow us out of the water.”

FC EARNS OPENING WIN–March 10
Donning pullovers, the Eagles went out into cold, windy conditions and fired a season-best 224 to defeat Immanuel (250), and Liberty Madera-Ranchos (283) for their first win of season, at Ridge Creek Golf Course, March 11.

“These were quite difficult conditions today, with the players needing to add extra layers, which can make it quite hard to swing,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “Plus, the wind was blowing, so they had to calculate for that. It was a tough day to play golf.”

Sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot 40, and senior Spencer Lee 41 to lead FC. However most players shot far above their averages.

“This was a better score for us today and a win, but because several of our guys have only been out for a couple of weeks, we?re still looking toward better scores coming up,” Hopper said. “We did not play one competitive nine last season as high as the scores we?ve had so far this year, but I think that?s a function of the late arrivals. Better to be good later, at playoff time.”

BULLARD HOLDS OFF FC–March 9
With consistent play throughout their lineup, the Bullard Knights knocked off the Eagles 199-226, March 9.

For FC, sophomore Jeff Roseth shot a season-best 37, and sophomore Tyler Zaentz shot 42. Bullard was led by sophomore Michael Tolliday who shot a 38, and sophomore Nick Sorenson with 39.

“The nice thing about Bullard is we know that they will be tough top to bottom,” head coach Jeff Hopper said. “Today, we hung very well with their top guys. But their fourth through sixth guys are strong too, all shooting 43 or better, so we couldn?t hang with them down there. But we like the challenge, and look forward to our later match-up at the end of the season, when they?ll help us tune-up for the big tournaments.”

After undergoing a recent grip change with swing coach Cindy Vining senior Spencer Lee staggered home with a 45 his highest score for a 9-hole match in two seasons. Despite the struggle with his game, he remains confident for the next few weeks.

“Its always tough to make a swing change because it takes a week or two to adjust,” Lee said. “I’m not hitting the ball as well as I’m cable of right now, but its a long-term process and overall I’m moving in the right direction.”

CAVALIERS, EAGLES DUEL IN EARLY SEASON MATCH–March 2
In rainy conditions, the Central Valley Christian Cavaliers defeated FC, 236-278, at Sunnyside Golf Course, March 2.

Sophomore Jeff Roseth led the Eagles with a 40, sophomore Tyler Zaentz opened his season with 41, and senior Clark Jacobson finished with 47. Both Roseth and Zaentz recovered well from poor starts according to head coach Jeff Hopper.

“I was pleased with the way Tyler fought back from a terrible start to play one under par the rest of the way,” Hopper said. “Jeffrey, too, gave up his shots early, then finished with four straight pars. And Clark, who had struggled on this course in practice, found his way around respectably.”

The Eagles played without returning senior Spencer Lee who missed the match due to playing with the basketball team against Mission Prep in San Luis Obispo.

“This was a rough beginning, especially for (junior) Alex (Campama), who was playing his first match, and (junior) Tim (DeGroot), who was very rusty after a season off and coming out for practice just this week. With Spencer here, we would have tossed out Alex?s score and been quite competitive with CVC. But this is sometimes the way the early season works out.”

FC will next host Bullard at Sunnyside Country Club, March 9, 3 p.m.