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Sports May 9th, 2008
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Highlanders barely miss the cut in Ojai
Royal golf team finishes third at Northern Divisional
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GET IN THE HOLE- Royal's Chris Gilbert knocks in a putt during Monday's CIF-Southern Section Northern Divisional championship at Soule Park.
Unlike basketball, there are no assists in golf.

What Westlake High sophomore Chris Doyle did for his Warrior teammates during Monday's CIF-Southern Section Northern Divisional championship, however, comes pretty darn close.

Three weeks ago, Doyle played Ojai's Soule Park Golf Course, also the site of the CIF divisionals. Doyle thought he knew the course well, and decided to pass on some advice to his teammates, including junior Marshall Colby.

On Monday, the plan was executed to perfection.

"Sunday night (Doyle) gave me these notes about each hole on the course and where to hit the ball," Colby said. "I studied it intently that night, and today I took it out of my pocket before each hole. It really worked."

Westlake, led by Colby's 67, placed first at the 13-team event with a total score of 358, good for 3-over par. The Warriors, along with second-place West Ranch (364), competed in the CIF-SS Team Finals Thursday at Candlewood Country Club in Whittier.

Last season's divisional winner, Royal, failed to advance by placing third with a mark of 368.

Colby's score was one stroke behind the individual leader, Johnny MacArthur of Hart of Newhall, who shot a 66.

Warriors Brandon Hagy (71), Doyle (73), Cole Seeger (73) and Scott Patterson (74) also contributed to the first-place finish.

The victory comes a week after Westlake shot a league-record 1,441 in four Marmonte League championship matches to win the league title.

"We've been shooting real (low) scores for about three weeks," Westlake head coach Dave Costley said.

The Highlanders actually shot three strokes better than their winning score of 371 last year. Unfortunately for RHS, the field was a little stronger in '08.

"We got outplayed today," Royal High head coach Bob Misko said. "We sprayed the ball around a little. We were a little untidy, as guys were hitting balls into the sand and trees. I didn't think we played bad today; we just weren't the best."

Royal was led by junior Chris Gilbert, who shot a 70. Seniors Danny Katz (71) and Kyle Holden (73) played well, but in the long-run it wasn't enough. Highlanders Julian Ho and Bobby Holden each posted a 77.

Calabasas came in sixth place by shooting a 382. The Coyotes received strong contributions from Cameron Tennant (73), Jonathan Fields (75), Brandon Molnar (76), Josh Mesna (77) and Jordan Malinoff (81).

Thousand Oaks finished five strokes behind Calabasas with a 387. Kyle Saver shot a team-best 74 for the Lancers, while Shane Langhans (76), Derek Larson (77), Brian Tsai (78) and Nate Fischer (82) also pitched in.

Oak Park finished one stroke behind TOHS.

The Eagles were led by the tournament's only female competitor, Danielle Kang, who shot a 75. Ben Howard (76), Preston Walker (77), Tyler Schwanz (79) and Austin Levine (81) also played well for OPHS.

"We had shot in the 360s as a team twice this year, and one of those times was at Soule Park," Oak Park head coach Bruce Beck said.

"We knew we were capable of winning. Obviously, it didn't turn out that way, though to tell you the truth, I don't think anyone could have beaten Westlake today. Our kids were neither sad nor excited on the bus trip home, but they knew they played well."

Oaks Christian finished 14 strokes behind Oak Park with a 402.

The Lions were led by Ryan Prosser (79), Ty Gretzky (80), Chad Baur (80), Chase Whiddon (81) and Andrew Hughes (82).

Also participating Monday were Hart of Newhall (377), Quartz Hill (381), Bishop Montgomery (428), Malibu (433), La Salle (441) and Carpinteria (445).

Scorecard

Here are the final results from Monday's CIF-SS Northern Divisional championship at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai:


Westlake -- 358
West Ranch -- 364
Royal -- 368
Hart -- 377
Quartz Hill -- 381
Calabasas -- 382
Thousand Oaks -- 387
Oak Park -- 388
Bishop Montgomery -- 428
Malibu -- 433
La Salle -- 441
Carpinteria -- 445