Flames win league on the links

Lodi High secured the TriCity Athletic League boys golf title on Monday, with a firstplace finish in the TCAL tournament at a very windy Tracy Country Club.

The Flames and Lincoln entered the tournament with 9-1 records, having split two matches against each other in the regular season. The tournament counts as another match against the rest of the teams in the league for another five, giving Lodi a final record of 14-1 to Lincoln’s 13-2.

Lodi shot a 403 on the par-72 course, followed by Lincoln and St. Mary’s tied at 420.

Justin Gums led the Flames with an even-par 72 for the tournament low, with everybody battling the gusting winds common this time of year on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.

“I played the same golf course today, the coaches played,” Lodi coach Jim Staal said. “And holy cannoli, that’s amazing.”

Lincoln’s Tyler Amknecht placed second at 79, followed by Lodi’s Tyler Rowlands and Jack LeBaron, along with two St. Mary’s golfers, at 80. Dean Ky (82) and Gavin Shafter (89) rounded out Lodi scores.

The top two teams qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I South Tournament next Monday at Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon, along with the top six golfers from the rest of the field.

Tokay golfer Connor Means shot an 86 to tie for the final individual spot, then won a playoff for the final spot. On the first playoff hole, Means had four on the par-4 hole, and his opponent bogeyed, giving Means a trip to the D-I South Tournament next week.

“It’s Tracy. You know what that’s like. It’s Tracy,” Tokay

Chris Zermeno said. “I can’t believe my guy came in that low, actually. When he gets serious, he’s much more consistent.”

Staal, similarly, was impressed by Gavin, a freshman.

“He came to the very first tournament we went to back in February, and he shot 112, and that was under really perfect conditions,” Staal said. “Today, with just hellacious winds, he shot an 89. It shows how much he’s improved.”