For the first time ever in school history two students qualified to go to CCS in boys’ golf – junior Gerardo Flores, who had one of the lowest scores during the MBL championship, and sophomore Roberto Aguayo. “For many years people thought that we didn’t even have a golf team and for us to have a golf team and last year winning MBL and now we have a banner in the gym, it’s phenomenal. This year we were in a much tougher league and on top of that we have two players that are so good that they qualified individually for CCS, we’re very happy,” said Head Coach Sunil Patel. Aguayo also added, “It’s crazy to be one of the first to make it to CCS for golf because last year we also were the first to win league championships and that makes me proud.”

This year CCS was at Laguna Seca Golf and Country Club. Patel said, “They have played the course before, we played it last year one time and once again this year. They performed really really well. I think Gerardo had one of his best rounds ever and Roberto also had his best round ever. Gerardo had a 73 and the Roberto had a score of 80 I believe.” said Patel. “I’ve played at Laguna Seca twice, and for the most part I play well there,” said Flores.

Getting one player to qualify was a feat, and getting two was a nice bonus. “It wasn’t shocking. We knew that Jerry had a really good chance of going individually to CCS. We didn’t know if Roberto was, and in fact until Monday morning I didn’t even know that Roberto qualified because somebody else cancelled so now we had two going,” said Patel. Not only was Patel nervous but so was Roberto. “I was shocked I made it to CCS because Mr. Patel first told me I didn’t make it to CCS and then he calls me in the middle of class two days before CCS that someone dropped out and I was pretty surprised. I was also nervous because I wasn’t practicing because I thought I didn’t make it. And knowing that CCS basically has the best players of California made me nervous,” said Aguayo.

At CCS Patel felt Gerardo and Roberto did phenomenally well. “They were playing against 150 of the best of the best golfers from Gilroy all the way up through the city of San Francisco and they were playing against nationally ranked teams. So for us to even be there was awesome. But then when they started playing and their scores came in, I think Jerry tied for the 30th spot which means he beat out 120 of the best golfers and Roberto did pretty good too. His score was a bit higher but he ended up beating some of the best golfers as well,” said Patel. Flores said, “I didn’t advance. I was off by like 6 strokes. I could have easily gained them back but my mental game was done. I was mad at myself, but I’m motivated to do better next year. If I practice throughout the whole year I’m pretty sure I’ll be ready. Since next year will be my last year, I might as well give it my all.”

Although Flores and Aguayo did not advance, Patel was still proud. “I wasn’t shocked at the results, but I was hoping it’d be a little bit better. At the same time, for us to just get there and the scores that they got was phenomenal, so I’m pretty proud of them. Roberto received a score of 104 and Gerardo 80,” said Patel.

This experience at CCS only motivated Aguayo. “I wanted to go to CCS, but I never thought I could make it, and now that motivates me to practice more. I think that if I keep practicing there’s a chance I’ll make it to state finals next year, but most likely I’ll make it senior year. That’s my goal,” said Aguayo.  “I think they can make it to the state finals next year, they can only get better,” said Patel.