The Escalon High School Boys Golf Team finished off the Trans-Valley League season by finishing first in the final League Tournament. Shooting 444 as a team, the Cougars outdistanced themselves from second place Hughson by 18 strokes. Ripon finished third at the tournament, and in league, while Hilmar managed fourth.

“The guys really stepped up when they had to and finished off their regular season with an exclamation point,” Coach Rusty Fachner noted. “We had the two lowest scores on the day, and walked away with the MVP and four all-league players. It was a good day and a great season.”

Taking medalist honors on the day was senior Nolan Rockwell, who shot a three over par 75 at Micke Grove Golf Links. Junior Nathan Sarkozy followed on his heels taking second in the tournament with a score of 79. Junior Danny Bava continued his steady play with an 88, and sophomore Steven Gately carded a 98. Junior Matt Spurgeon and senior Nic Lattig both came in with identical scores of 104.

“Nolan has been stellar over the past few weeks and has played some tremendous golf. He was the league MVP and rightfully so,” Fachner commented. “With Sections coming up, it was good to see Nathan play a solid round and shoot a low score. Danny just continues to do what he does every time he plays … turn in consistent scores. I was happy with Steven’s effort, and very disappointed that Nic finished just out of the running for all-league. I’m upset because Nic’s worked so hard to improve his game and been such an important part of our team’s success. I was really hoping he’d make it.”

In addition to Rockwell being named the TVL’s MVP, Bava, Sarkozy, and Gately all earned enough points to garner all-league honors.

“It speaks volumes for next year’s squad when you have two juniors and a sophomore make all-league. With continued hard work, I really think the Cougars have an excellent chance of winning back-to-back TVL titles,” stated Fachner.

The coach concluded by issuing a ‘thank you’ to those that made the season a success.

“The special group of guys on this team, Escalon Golf Course, Oakdale Golf and Country Club, the parents and grandparents of the players, and lastly, assistant coach Jerry Emery, have all worked hard to make this season a reality,” Fachner noted. “I really want to thank Jerry for all the time and effort he has put forth into our program. He has done all of this work on a voluntary basis and has been instrumental in getting our younger guys prepared to play. He is as much a part of this championship as anyone, and we thank him for everything he has done to make us winners.”

Escalon was scheduled to play in the Division 5 Section Tournament at Castle Oaks Golf Course on Monday, May 7, after The Times went to press. If the team wins the section title, or have an individual qualify, they will then compete on Friday, May 11 in The Master’s Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.