CHINO — El Prado Golf Club’s Butterfield Stage course played more like St. Andrews or any venerable Scottish Links on a windy Wednesday afternoon when the Etiwanda and Chino Hills boys golfs team squared off in a Baseline League match.
In adverse conditions, Etiwanda stepped up and shot a second consecutive score of 202 and prevailed by nine shots over Chino Hills. Daniel Qu and Aramis Hovannesian led the way for the Eagles (7-0 overall, 3-0 in league) with matching 39s .
Etiwanda, seeking the first league title in program history, now has a one match lead over both Los Osos and Chino Hills.
“We’ve definitely got some momentum on our side right now, but I’m so proud of the work our guys have put in to get to this point and the maturity they’ve developed,” Eagles coach Alden Gold said. “What’s impressed me most is that they put the work in this summer without me there. I’d go play and find my guys there playing or practicing with each other and they’re seeing that payoff during our season.”
Qu went out first and made three bogeys in his first five holes, but he birdied the 496-yard par-five ninth hole and played his final four holes in even par. Matteo Neri made a 25-foot par at No. 2 and played his last five holes at 1 over par to post a 41.
Etiwanda (7-0 overall, 3-0 in league) led by five shots with one group in. Keshav Joshi of Chino Hills struggled to a 45, while Jack Patterson bounced back from a triple bogey at No. 4 to make two birdies in his last five holes and post a 40. Patterson nearly holed his approach from 140 yards at the par-four fifth hole and made an uphill five-foot putt for his birdie.
“Our ability to chip and putt was big in this win and we’re feeling really good about the golf we’ve played to start this season,” Qu said.
Aaron Kunnowo and Justin Padilla each birdied the par-five finishing hole to close out rounds of 42 and 40, respectively, which helped Chino Hills (4-3, 2-1) pull even with two groups in.
Hovannesian and Nathan Norkunas were both 1 over par after five holes for Etiwanda in the day’s final group. Despite playing their last eight combined holes in 5 over par, the duo came home with scores of 39 and 40, respectively, which both counted toward the team score and allowed the Eagles to take home a key win.
“Nathan and I really made sure to not look at the scores up front and focus on winning our group,” Hovannesian said. “For me it’s a bounce-back performance after a disappointing 45 yesterday that I hope I can carry into the stretch run of our season.”
Etiwanda finishes the three-match week Thursday with a home match against Upland, while Chino Hills hosts Rancho Cucamonga.
