ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Ryan Dale, IVL boys’ golf champion
IMPERIAL — Imperial High’s Ryan Dale made school history last week after topping the Imperial Valley League boys’ golf individual tourney at Las Barrancas Golf Course in Yuma.
He’s the first Tiger to take home individual league champ honors and did so in dramatic fashion
The 17-year-old shot an 86 on the par-72 course and finish tied with another golfer after 18 holes.
The duo then went into a one-hole playoff round, where Dale ended up winning by a stroke. “That was a really big moment,” Dale said with a smile. The Imperial High senior said he was glad his hard work paid off and was ecstatic to have made school history.
“I worked on my own a lot during the summer and the offseason and even during football season,” Dale said.
Dale has been on the golf team for the past three years and noted how close the individual championship was this season.
“It was almost a three-way tie for first (at prelims), so I knew it’d be close at the final,” he said.
Up next for Dale is the CIF-San Diego Section individual tourney, which is set for May 14.
Dale said his goal for the meet is to advance past the second and thirds rounds.
What do you enjoy most about your sport?
I like how you can clear your mind when you’re playing, and since it’s an individual sport, it’s all on you, win or lose.
What is one of your more memorable moments in your sport?
My best memory from golf has to be from this season when we beat Palo Verde. They were the No. 1 team and I think we were the No. 4, so that was really exciting and memorable for us for sure.
Who inspires you and why?
I think I’d probably have to say that Tiger Woods inspires me. He was a great player, then it all sort of came down, and now he’s trying to come back.
What are your goals for the rest of this season?
I want to try and make it to at least the second or third round of CIF. If I can do that, I’d be really proud.