McMurray medals in Legionnaires' first golf match of 2021

Bonsall High School had two golf matches before the school’s spring break and, in his first high school golf match, freshman William McMurray was the medalist.

The Legionnaires opened their season, March 24, against Vista High School, and since both Bonsall and Vista use the Golf Club of California course for home matches and practices the competition was held at that site. The Golf Club of California was also the venue for Bonsall’s March 30 match against Army-Navy Academy.

“I’m really excited for the season. I’m really excited we get the opportunity to play,” Bonsall Coach Eddie Van Hoosear said. “The fact that we get to go out there and compete is great.”

The coronavirus shutdown limited the Legionnaires to five matches in 2020. The 2020-2021 CIF seasons have been compressed, so multi-sport athletes must choose a sport. Last year Bonsall was in the Summit League, but Horizon Prep is the only 2020 Summit League team which has a golf squad this year.

“We petitioned to join the Pacific League, and they graciously accepted us,” Van Hoosear said.

Horizon Prep is also in the Pacific League this year. The eight-team league also includes Army-Navy, Escondido Charter, Maranatha Christian, Orange Glen, San Diego Jewish Academy, and Tri-City Christian high schools.

Each school is allowed six golfers for a match. If the team has six golfers, the high score is discarded and the five other scores are added for the team score. If a team has only five golfers, all scores are counted.

Bonsall has five golfers this season.

“We just barely made it,” Van Hoosear said.

Four of those golfers were on the 2020 varsity; two of those are currently seniors and two are now juniors including the only girl on the team.

“I’m feeling bullish about this season,” Van Hoosear said. “I don’t know whether we’ll win with only five players, but I think we’ll be pretty competitive.”

If fewer than five players are available, the team forfeits, which occurred in Bonsall’s first two matches when one of the players wasn’t able to participate. Despite the loss against Vista, the low nine-hole score of 47 was achieved by McMurray.

Although one of the Army-Navy golfers completed his nine holes in 42 strokes to receive medalist recognition, March 30, Bonsall senior Teagan Daems needed only 43 strokes.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].