Led by three solid rounds from junior Adam Zolezzi, the Escalon Cougar boys' golf team swept all three of their matches this week in TVL play. The three wins, one over Hughson, and back-to-back wins over Riverbank, moved the Cougar linksters to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in league.
On Tuesday, March 17 Escalon found itself in a real dogfight with Hughson as the Cougars outlasted the Huskies 182-186 at River Oaks Golf Course.
"River Oaks is a huge home course advantage for Hughson. They are always tough to play there, and Tuesday was no exception," coach Rusty Fachner commented.
The Cougars as a whole, shot solid golf, but it was Zolezzi who sparkled, as he took medalist honors with a 1-over par 32.
"Adam really saved us in this match. He had several key birdies including an eagle try on number 18. He played as he has all season, really solid golf," Fachner stated.
Others posting scores against the Huskies were Ricky Mullen and Donovan Gardner, who both shot 36, while Jimmy Morris and Jeromy Jimenez both shot 39's on the day.
On Wednesday and Thursday the Cougars played rare home and home contests against Riverbank, with Escalon victorious on both days. Wednesday, at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, the Cougars overwhelmed the Bruins 217-313. More than the score, Fachner was pleased that the Cougars shot well as a team.
"It was nice to win, but we really needed to begin bringing our score as a team down below bogey golf, and we did that. We got several solid rounds including a sub-40 round from Adam. We're starting to come around."
Zolezzi's 39 not only led the Cougars, but he became the first player to shoot below 40 on a par 36 course this season. Gardner chipped in with one of his better rounds of the season, posting a 42, while Morris had a 44 and Mullen a 45. Both Jimenez and Matt Jones shot 47's to round out the scoring.
On Thursday the Cougars put together another solid team effort at La Contenta Golf Course as they once again prevailed 207-330 over the Bruins.
"This is the round that I have been waiting all year to see," said an extremely pleased Fachner. "Everyone, and I mean everyone, shot really good golf. I think that maybe we've turned the corner. And with the toughest part of our schedule, and the mid-season tournament next Monday, it couldn't have come at a better time."
Morris had his best day, shooting a 39, on the par 35 course, as did Gardner with a 41.
"It was good to see Jimmy and Donovan starting to get comfortable with their games. They're so important to us in scoring low. We really have to have them shooting like they did on Thursday," Fachner added.
Zolezzi continued his stellar play with a 42. Jimenez also added a 42 and Jones posted a 43 to round out the scoring.
"I was happy to see Matty come in at 43. He's struggled recently and it now appears he's coming around. That will help us tremendously," concluded Fachner.
The Escalon Golf Team will play a big home match on Wednesday, March 25 against Modesto Christian, one of the TVL favorites, and then play the TVL Mid-Season Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park on Monday, March 30.
On Tuesday, March 17 Escalon found itself in a real dogfight with Hughson as the Cougars outlasted the Huskies 182-186 at River Oaks Golf Course.
"River Oaks is a huge home course advantage for Hughson. They are always tough to play there, and Tuesday was no exception," coach Rusty Fachner commented.
The Cougars as a whole, shot solid golf, but it was Zolezzi who sparkled, as he took medalist honors with a 1-over par 32.
"Adam really saved us in this match. He had several key birdies including an eagle try on number 18. He played as he has all season, really solid golf," Fachner stated.
Others posting scores against the Huskies were Ricky Mullen and Donovan Gardner, who both shot 36, while Jimmy Morris and Jeromy Jimenez both shot 39's on the day.
On Wednesday and Thursday the Cougars played rare home and home contests against Riverbank, with Escalon victorious on both days. Wednesday, at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, the Cougars overwhelmed the Bruins 217-313. More than the score, Fachner was pleased that the Cougars shot well as a team.
"It was nice to win, but we really needed to begin bringing our score as a team down below bogey golf, and we did that. We got several solid rounds including a sub-40 round from Adam. We're starting to come around."
Zolezzi's 39 not only led the Cougars, but he became the first player to shoot below 40 on a par 36 course this season. Gardner chipped in with one of his better rounds of the season, posting a 42, while Morris had a 44 and Mullen a 45. Both Jimenez and Matt Jones shot 47's to round out the scoring.
On Thursday the Cougars put together another solid team effort at La Contenta Golf Course as they once again prevailed 207-330 over the Bruins.
"This is the round that I have been waiting all year to see," said an extremely pleased Fachner. "Everyone, and I mean everyone, shot really good golf. I think that maybe we've turned the corner. And with the toughest part of our schedule, and the mid-season tournament next Monday, it couldn't have come at a better time."
Morris had his best day, shooting a 39, on the par 35 course, as did Gardner with a 41.
"It was good to see Jimmy and Donovan starting to get comfortable with their games. They're so important to us in scoring low. We really have to have them shooting like they did on Thursday," Fachner added.
Zolezzi continued his stellar play with a 42. Jimenez also added a 42 and Jones posted a 43 to round out the scoring.
"I was happy to see Matty come in at 43. He's struggled recently and it now appears he's coming around. That will help us tremendously," concluded Fachner.
The Escalon Golf Team will play a big home match on Wednesday, March 25 against Modesto Christian, one of the TVL favorites, and then play the TVL Mid-Season Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park on Monday, March 30.
