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Jones To NorCals - Oakdale Golfers Earn SJS Banner
5-16 OAK Golf
Oakdale Highs varsity boys golf team poses proudly with a Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section banner on May 8. - photo by COURTESY OF WILL TRIPP

Six days after besting a field of nine teams at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Golf Championships, Oakdale tackled a field of 14 teams at the SJS Masters Championships on Monday at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton.

Oakdale shot a solid 401 to finish ninth among the elite 14 teams, but saw a spectacular highlight when Ryan Jones finished with a 70 stroke performance (six birdies) to move on to NorCals. Jones will face off with some of the best golfers in the state on May 21 at the Butte Creek Golf Course.

The Mustangs landed the lone D-IV team advancement to Masters after a collective 402-stroke performance edged second place Valley Oak League rival East Union (413), Western Athletic Conference champ Central Catholic (437) and Sierra Valley Conference winner Liberty Ranch (449) on May 8.

The scores were recorded over 18 holes at the Diablo Grande Legends Course in Patterson.

“It takes a whole team of good scores to win a tournament like that,” Oakdale coach Lee McGhee said. “None of the guys would have moved on individually, so it was important that we did well as a team.”

Oakdale was led by 79 stroke performances from Isaac Rellamas and Robby Wikoff. Ian Stogdell and Michael Tripp both carded 81s while Ryan Jones shot an 82 and Vince Fauria a 93.

Oakdale shot The Reserve at a tournament this season and also tackled the course during a practice round on Friday. Masters provided a shot at qualification to the NorCal Championships and a glimpse of the top competition from all six of the section’s golf divisions.

“I want them to be able to enjoy it and remember it,” McGhee said Sunday before the meet. “If that means we get in the top three to move on then that’s it, and I feel like we have a legitimate shot to be in that conversation.”