Jacuinde shoots 33, but Panthers still cruise

Granite Hills junior Joel Jacuinde posted his best score in competition, shooting a 33 (two under par) at the Porterville Municipal Golf Course against Porterville High Tuesday.

“We are seeing a lot of progress and that’s great,” Granite Hills coach David Coldiron said. “Joel shot his best round ever in competition. I know he has shot that low before but it had always been in practice so for him to be able to play as well as he did today in competition is great. I am very proud of him.”

But it was far from enough.

Despite Jacuinde’s solid personal performance, the Panthers handily defeated the Grizzlies 20-4 and remain unbeaten (11-0) in the EYL.

“I thought they did very well. We are trying to get everyone down into the 30s and with the way the boys shot today, I think their confidence level will be up heading into our match against Monache and then into the EYL (Tournament),” Porterville coach Lynn Enos said.

Jacuinde and Nate Jessup continued their rivalry Tuesday afternoon and Jacuinde scored four points for his team by coming out with the win in the head-to-head duel. Jessup finished the day one over with a score of 36.

“This is the first time in my career that I have beaten him (Jessup) and it feels great,” Jacuinde said. “The rivalry between us had me really focused. I was concentrating on the match all day and I wanted to make sure I ended my season strong.”

Earlier in the season, Jacuinde and Jessup tied each other when they both finished with a score of 39 at River Island. Though Jessup won the day after, winning four holes to Jacuinde’s three to edge his rival.

The remainder of the Panther golfers swept the final five slots easily. DJ Stone shot a 36 in the No. 2 spot and won four points toward the team total against his opponent, Matt Munoz, whose final score was 41.

Kris Kennel and Mikey McGinn both shot 35’s from the third and fourth spots in the lineup. Granite’s Jose Gomez finished his day with a score of 49 while teammate Robert Jaimez shot a 54.

“Robert Jaimez has kind of slid down a little bit but hopefully over the next few days we can get him refocused and going again,” Coldiron said.

Porterville’s Quinn Procter was able to stay just below 40 and finished with a 39 whereas his opponent, Chase McKenna, shot a 52.

Eric Rowe, the sixth golfer for the Panthers, finished his day with a 44, winning his head-to-head match with the Grizzlies’ Josue Martinez, who shot a 55.

“I was happy to be able to play Eric Rowe, who had been playing our last man at No. 8. He shot a 44 and I thought he did very well and he birdied on hole four,” Enos said.