Buhach Colony valedictorian wraps up prep golf career
Buhach Colony senior Alec Barajas figures that, after what he went through Monday, his speech on graduation night will be easy.
“Today,” he said, “is harder.”
There’s little doubt, as valedictorian for Buhach Colony’s Class of 2016, Barajas will hit it long and straight. He’s bound for UCLA, an esteemed university that won’t sweat his difficult day on the links.
Barajas concluded his prep golf career by shooting an 84 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships. As a junior, Barajas led the Thunder to the Central California Conference title.
On Monday, he trudged through one of those days the royal and ancient game often dishes out to thankless contestants. Put simply, nothing went right.
At the par-4 17th, his seemingly solid 5-iron approach landed on the green but exited hard right into a hazard.
“The conditions were rough, but it was the last time I played for my school,” he said. “I had a great time.”
The Reserve at Spanos Park, bathed in sunshine, was protected by a gusty 15-mph wind that occasionally confounded even the elite in the field of 117. Advancing to NorCals next week in Salinas were champion Davis of Yolo County, Lodi and Jesuit of Carmichael. Qualifying as individuals were an additional four, including Gregori junior Chris Ebster, who tied at 1-under-par 71.
The conditions were rough, but it was the last time I played for my school. I had a great time.
Alec Barajas
Justin Pasley, Barajas’ teammate at Buhach Colony, nodded as Barajas described The Reserve’s difficulty. Pasley posted a 96.
Thankful just to be there was El Capitan freshman Christopher Giardina. Last week at the Section Division IV tournament, Giardina advanced to Masters by shooting an 85 and holing a 20-foot putt for par to win a playoff at Woodland’s Yolo Fliers.
Giardina’s Masters day lacked such drama. He finished triple bogey, double bogey and settled for an 85.
“I wasn’t ready for that triple bogey,” he said. “I can’t wait for next year.”
Mariposa, which claimed its first blue banner in golf last week when it swept to the Section D-VI title at DarkHorse in Auburn, was paced by Josh Moore with an 85.
This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Buhach Colony valedictorian wraps up prep golf career."