Jeff Tully
DE BELL GOLF COURSE -- Next week, the boys' golf teams atBurbank and
Burroughs highs will be battling one another for a playoff spot in
Foothill League competitions.
But Thursday, the schools' players got a chance to have a little fun
at the 39th annual Burbank High Schools Invitational Golf Tournament at
De Bell Municipal Golf Course.
The tournament featured 104 players from 18 schools.
Although neither local school finished among the top teams in the
event, and no Indian or Bulldog golfers won individual honors, one of the
local teams captured a title.
Burroughs won the Gene Mouney Trophy, an award given to the local team
with the lowest combined team score.
"This is the third year in a row we have won the city championship at
the tournament," Burroughs Coach Mike Krose said.
"This is a nice tournament and the kids have fun. But we are just
hoping to stay focused for next week when have some important matches."
There is just a half-point separating the Indians and Bulldogs in a
quest for the third Foothill League spot, and a trip to the CIF Southern
Section playoffs. The two -- along with the rest of the league teams --
will take part not only a league match Tuesday, but the league
preliminaries Wednesday and the league finals Thursday.
"It is going to be a very big week," Burbank Coach Rich Sarquez said.
"But it was nice to come out here today and play in a tournament
atmosphere. Some of the best players in Southern California come to this
tournament."
For just the second time in nearly four decades of the tournament, the
local schools were on spring break the week of the event. That meant
while most of the schools taking part got the day off from school,
Burroughs and Burbank had to interrupt their vacations of take part in
the event.
However, not many players minded spending a day on the course.
"If I wasn't here playing golf I would probably be at home watching TV
or something," Burroughs' Brad Jato said. "I would rather be out here
playing."
For Burbank's Brian KO, the tournament was a good chance for him to
work on his game.
"I would much rather be here than in school," he said. "I like to play
and we get a chance to compete against different schools."
Another golfer, Burroughs' Michael Kim, was happy to be at the event,
that was until he began to struggle on a few holes.
"Right now I would rather be somewhere else, like Vegas, anywhere but
here," he said.
Foothill League opponent Hart tied Glendora with 316 points for the
team tournament title.
In individual competition, Edgar Reyes of Alemany shot a one-under-par
70 to win the A Flight division and capture low gross tournament honors.
The top local score was turned in by Mike Vahoviak of Burroughs, who
shot a 77, which included seven pars and a birdie for a 35 on the front
nine.
