It wasn’t the kind of start that Mater Dei boys golf coach Ollie Martin was expecting, considering he returned four players that posted a scoring average below 39 last season — Marcus De La Ross (37.5), Ryan Mendoza (37.7), Grant Rapoza (38.2) and James Hall (38.8).
But after the first two matches of the season, the Monarchs were still looking for their first victory.
“I was disappointed. I am always disappointed when we lose,” Martin said.
Since then though, the Monarchs have won seven of eight matches, beating the No. 1 team in the county along the way.
On Wednesday, the No. 2 Monarchs faced top-ranked Servite at Western Hills Country Club, the Friars’ home course in Chino Hills, and Mater Dei cruised to an 11-stroke victory.
Jacob Biss medaled, carding a 1-under-par 34 on the front nine to help the Monarchs post a 189.
Mendoza and Koichiro Sato both finished with a 3-over 38 as all five Monarchs who figured into the final score broke 40. Martin Manalo led the Friars with a 2-over 37.
Earlier in the week, Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco of Bellflower, 189-206, at Santa Ana Country Club.
Biss posted the low score in that Trinity League match, too, a 2-under 34.
TOURNAMENT TIME
Several of the top players in the county will spend this weekend competing in the Heather Farr Classic.
It is one of the biggest early-season tournaments on the American Junior Golf Association schedule.
Derek Castillo (Valencia), Gordon Neale (Tesoro), Andre Vu (Fountain Valley) and Chase Wheatley (Corona del Mar) were among the 96 boys who teed off in the 54-hole tournament on Friday at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz.
BATTLE IN THE DESERT
The Champions Invitational, possibly the most prestigious high school golf tournament in the nation, will be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Golf Club at Terra Lago in Indio.
Some of the county’s best teams are in the field, including No. 1 Servite, Edison, Santa Margarita, Corona del Mar, San Juan Hills and Orange Lutheran.
Santa Margarita is the two-time defending champion of the tournament.
But in both of those tournaments Beau Hossler was in the lineup. He’s playing for the University ofTexas now.
Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com
Five stars of the week
Bryan Hernandez, Los Alamitos: He shot a 2-under 34 at Mile Square Golf Course to lead the Griffins past Founrtain Valley.
Cameron Bauer, Edison: He finished with a 2-under 34 at El Dorado Golf Course to help the Chargers beat Los Alamitos.
Austin Trcka, Villa Park: He posted a 2-under 34 at Tustin Ranch Golf Course in the Spartans’ victory against Foothill
Martin Manalo, Servite: He finsihed with a 4-under 68 at Recreation Park Golf Course in Servite’s victory against Long Beach Wilson
Brett Robinson, Beckman: He medaled twice last week, shooting a 1-under 34 at Strawberry Farms Golf Course and a 1-under 35 at Tustin Ranch Golf Club.
