El Mo eyes NCS tourney bid in strong spring campaign
It’s been a season of long drives and birdie putts for the El Molino boys golf team in a resurgent 2017 campaign, with the Lions rising near the top of the Sonoma County League rankings.
At press time the Lions had just completed a sweep over Piner in the league regular season finale at the Bodega Harbour Golf Club on April 20, their seventh SCL win in 10 outings.
El Mo posted an aggregate score of 261, winning by default when Piner couldn’t field a complete team. Individual scoring for the Lions included Ryan Pamatmat (43), Kristian Walker (50), Cassius Phillips (57), Avery Cavallo (57), Aidan Angus-Henry (64) and Grant Phy (72).
El Molino’s 7-3 record trails only unbeaten Petaluma in the league standings heading into the SCL Tournament on May 1 at the Windsor Golf Club. A top two finish in the league tourney could advance the team to the North Coast Section Qualifier Tournament on May 8 at Rooster Run Golf Club in Petaluma.
Young team on the rise
Led by veteran coaches John Thomas and Bill Olzman, the Lion’s success has been all the more impressive considering it’s been achieved with a relatively young squad, a roster that includes one senior, two juniors and five sophomores.
All players are well-rounded and have varied interests from athletics to the arts.
The starting lineup features second-year junior Ryan Pamatmat, a returning North Coast Section qualifier who doubles as an all-league soccer player in the winter. Pamatmat has led the team in scoring in every match this season.
Joining him in the starting lineup is second-year junior Kristian Walker, a cross-country and soccer standout, second-year sophomore Cassius Phillips, a cross-country runner and basketball player, and second-year sophomore Avery Cavallo, the most improved player on the team who also stars in the school band.
Other team members include returning sophomores Grant Phy, a first-year starter who also plays in the band, and Aidan Angus-Henry, another first-year starter and school band member.
Rounding out the roster are fourth-year senior Arthur Timpe, active in the drama club and a member of the debate/oral interpretation team set to attend CSU-Monterey Bay in the fall, and first-year sophomore Otis Judy, another student/athlete who plays in the school band.
The entire starting team is eligible to return next season, stamping the Lions as early favorites to contend for the league title.
“We’re hoping that our pre-season matches against better competition (Alhambra, Napa, St. Vincent’s, and tournaments in Ukiah and Marin) have shown us what we need to do to improve enough to contend for league title next year,” coach John Thomas said.
