The Avalon Boys Golf Team recently had two wonderful golf experiences, thanks to their former coach, Michael Alegria. First, they started the season by attending the Genesis Open at the world-famous Riviera Country Club, located in Pacific Palisades, California. This was the 3rd year in a row that our players have attended this PGA Tournament.
However, this year, Chief Alegria provided us with official PGA passes, which gave us access to the clubhouse, the locker room, and the restaurant, where all the rich and famous people were hanging out. It was a very special day and we are very grateful to our former coach for providing us with this opportunity of a lifetime.
The following week we opened our season on Friday, Feb. 23, with a scrimmage against Crean Lutheran, a Division 1 powerhouse, at the beautiful Monarch Bay Golf Course, located right on the ocean in Dana Point. The course was challenging and provided for some spectacular views.
Rigo Pedroza Jr. was our best golfer for the day, shooting a 2 over par 38. Damien Pedroza and Jose Pedroza shot 39’s, while Cole Konigsmark turned in a 42. We lost the scrimmage but competed well against an accomplished team. Once again we had the experience of a lifetime, and once again, we thank our former coach, Michael Alegria, for setting up the match.
Our first official match of the season took place on Feb. 27, against Cabrillo High School, at El Dorado Country Club, located in Long Beach, California. Cabrillo was no match for Avalon, as the Lancer linksters trounced the Broncos by a team score of 211-293. Rigo Pedroza turned in the lowest score of the day with a 2 over par 38, while his cousin Jose turned in a nice 3 over par score of 39.
The Lancers returned home to face another accomplished team, San Juan Hills, two days later. The Lancers lost in a close match 176-182. Both teams played extremely well. Rigo Pedroza led the way again with a 2 over par 34. Damien and Jose Pedroza both shot a 4 over par 36, while Cole Konigsmark shot a 5 over par 37. Newcomer Aaron Meza rounded out the team score with a nice 7 over par 39. Although we did not win the match, we showed our worth against a quality Division 3 team.
In our next match we faced Pacifica Christian from Orange County at home, on Saturday, March 9. The Lancers struggled on this day and we lost by a score of 189-198. Jose Pedroza was our best golfer on this day, shooting a 3 over par 35. His cousin Rigo was close behind, shooting a 4 over par 36. Unfortunately, the course had its say, and we came up short in the match.
Our next match took place on Tuesday, March 19, against league rival Western Christian, at Mountain Meadows, located in Pomona, California. The Lancers were on a tight schedule and had to play at a quicker pace than normal, in order to catch the last boat back to the island. With 2 groups playing 9 holes and 1 group playing 8 holes, we emerged victorious by a score of 215-221. Rigo Pedroza was our medalist for the day shooting a 4 over par 40. Damien Pedroza and newcomer Eduardo Zavala both shot 42’s and helped lead us to this important league victory on the road.
Avalon is now 2-2 on the season and will next face the team they shared last year’s league championship with, Webb at home, on Thursday, March 28 at 1 p.m. This is an important league match for the Lancer’s quest for back-to-back league championships. However, this year they have a goal to win the league title outright, and not have to share it. Stay tuned for future golf news and follow our local junior golfers as they compete in our Annual Catalina Island Junior Golf Tournament, taking place on April 6-7.
