Will Cross' approach shot, which came on the edge of a marsh some 40 feet out on the ninth hole Tuesday at Rancho Canada West, arched upward before landing four feet from the pin.
It was a near-perfect chip.
But in what was a microcosm of the San Benito freshman's day at the Central Coast Section Boys Golf Championships, Cross' ensuing putt rimmed out.
"It was a full lip-out. It pulled a U-turn on me," Cross said. "I had five 3-putts. I just could not putt."
Cross and teammate Nathan Winn represented San Benito as its two lone individuals Tuesday at the section tournament at the Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley.
Competing on the West Course for the second time in as many weeks, Cross and Winn were unfortunately dealt a heartbreaking round from the game they love.
Cross finished with a 76 (37-39) and Winn carded an 84 (41-43) at the CCS tournament.
"When you put up a big number like that, it's not just one thing," Winn said. "I couldn't get anything going. It was just one of those days."
The two freshmen qualified for the sectional tournament after posting top-eight individual scores at last week's regional qualifier. Playing on the same par-71 West Course in Carmel Valley, Cross and Winn recorded scores of 73 and 74, respectively, last week.
After the six-member San Benito squad fell just two strokes short of making the cut at last week's regional, Cross and Winn advanced as individuals with their low marks.
At section, though, only the top three teams and the top four individuals not on those qualifying teams advance to the NorCal tournament.
Carmel (375), St. Francis (381) and Palma (386) finished in first, second and third, respectively, while Menlo's Patrick Grimes medaled the round with a 5-under 66.
"I wanted to move on so bad," Cross said. "I really did want to move on."
Winn said the course was more difficult on Tuesday than it was last week, noting the high winds and firm greens. Coach Brian Silva acknowledged the winds as well, adding that the course is so narrow that "if you're not hitting straight, you're gonna get penalized."
"Obviously, they did better the last time, but they had a good season and they're only freshmen," Silva said. "I'm really proud of them."
The two golfers will return next year and anchor a youthful boys golf team that plans on returning all six of its members from this year, including Marcus Synegal, Derell Aton, Joey Amaral and Justin Palmquist.
With a year of experience now firmly under their belt as a team, the 'Balers will more than likely return hungrier than ever next season.
"Every couple of months, you get one of those rounds," Winn said. "It's disappointing that one of your bad days had to be in a tournament like this."
Note:
Jay Myers of Branham (70), Daniel Semmler of Carlmont (70) and Cory McElyea of Harbor (71) will advance with Grimes to the NorCal tournament as the four individuals.
Andrew Matheson Andrew Matheson is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 334 or at amatheson@svnewspapers.com.
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