Straeter now contributing golf knowledge to BHS team

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

When Kyle Sraeter was a Fallbrook High School student, he was with the Warriors’ boys golf program. Straeter is now the coach of the Bonsall High School golf team.

“It’s doing okay. It’s an interesting year. I only have two players on the team,” Straeter said.

A high school golf match normally involves six golfers from each school. The highest score is discarded and the scores of the other five players are added to obtain the team score. Without five golfers, Bonsall will be forfeiting the Legionnaires’ matches this year.

“Golf is also an individual sport. The boys can also qualify for CIF individually,” Straeter said. “Even though we cannot currently qualify for team wins, the boys are doing well in the individual matches.”

The Legionnaires’ two players are senior Mason Jopes and sophomore William McMurray. They were both among the five golfers Bonsall had for the 2021 season, with two of those being 2021 seniors. “Hopefully we can build some more interest,” Straeter said.

Straeter replaces Eddie Van Hoosear as Bonsall’s golf coach. “There was an opening, and I enjoy golf,” Straeter said.

Currently Straeter is a member of the Vista Valley Country Club. “Golf has made a major impact in my life. I had great coaches. And I wanted to pay forward and make an impact like my coaches have done,” Straeter said.

Steve Jorde was Fallbrook High School’s golf coach when Straeter played. Straeter was on the junior varsity for three years and the varsity for one season. “We had stacked teams,” he said.

Bonsall practices and plays home matches at the Golf Club of California course. The Legionnaires’ first match of 2022 was at home Feb. 24 against Mission Vista. McMurray had a nine-hole score of 44 while Jopes completed his nine holes in 66 strokes.

McMurray improved his score to 41 in the March 2 home match against Escondido Charter. Jopes lowered his score to 56.

Bonsall hosted Fallbrook in a March 8 match. McMurray had a score of 40 against the Warriors. Jopes took 59 shots.

On March 9, the Legionnaires traveled to the Eagle Creek course in Escondido for a match against Escondido Charter. McMurray had a score of 47 on that course while Jopes had a score of 59.