SV golf team plays tough

The St. Vincent High School golf spring has been a combination of David vs. Goliath and Ground Hog Day. The Mustangs keep slaying the giant match after match.

Playing mostly with just one senior, St. Vincent has not only dominated the Coastal Mountain Conference, but beaten several large schools as it played itself into the North Coast Section championships.

St. Vincent capped off its Coastal Mountain Conference season by winning the two-day conference tournament.

St. Vincent had four golfers among the top 10, with Max Kleinecke third with a 162; Trenton Starratt fourth at 166; Justin Peck seventh at 172; and Bradley Hogin eighth at 176.

St. Vincent moves on as a team to the North Coast Section championships on Monday at Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa.

In addition to playing in the CMC in a division that includes Kelseyville, Middletown, Rincon Valley Christian, Geyserville and Technology, St. Vincent played in three tournaments against much larger schools and more than held its own.

St. Vincent was 13th out of 23 teams in the Marin Catholic Wildcat Invitational. In their own Mustang Invitational, they were fourth out of 10 teams.

The highlight of the Mustang season may well have been in the 31st annual Ukiah High School Classic, where they finished second out of 18 teams, almost all from much larger schools. A very good Casa Grande team was third in that tournament.

St. Vincent is led by sophomore Kleinecke, the son of coach Bill Kleinecke. An outstanding junior golfer, Kleinecke has come alive in his second year of high school golf, leading the team with a solid 76-stroke average over 18 holes.

“High school golf has refueled him,” the coach says of his son/player. Like all of the St. Vincent players, he is an outstanding student who would someday like to work at NASA.

Graham Gilles has worked hard to be the team’s No. 2 player. “He has really improved,” says Kleinecke. “He has put in a lot of work on learning how to stay focused.”

The only senior among the top players is team captain Starratt. The four-year varsity player is headed to Santa Rosa Junior College next year. A captain in deed as well as title, Starratt has been a steadying influence on the young Mustang team. “He has looked after the younger players,” his coach says. “He has given us great leadership.”

Peck, a junior, is in his third year playing varsity golf for the Mustangs. “He has a beautiful swing,” coach Kleinecke says. Peck was No. 1 on the team last season, and as the season progressed worked himself back into top form.

Hogin was recruited to try golf as a sophomore. An outstanding athlete, he plans to row crew at Yale after high school. “He has worked really hard and improved quickly,” coach Kleinecke says.

Then there is Catie Hood, who plays with the boys in the co-ed CMC, and, according to her coach, has played well.

“She has worked hard and progressed well,” says Kleinecke. “She is a great student and learns quickly.”

Kleinecke, now in his second season as St. Vincent coach, credits his predecessor, Norm Collins, for much of his team’s success. “Norm has been a powerful influence on these kids. It is his team,” the current coach says.