From left, juniors Nate Zilles, Mason Gibbons and freshman Eli Cervantes qualified for the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Sac Joaquin Section Division II Divisional tournament at Bing Maloney Golf Course on May 6. 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Coming off its first season in the Metro League, the Cordova boys’ golf team has qualified three standout young student-athletes for the Sac Joaquin Section Division II Divisional Tournament at Bing Maloney Golf Course in Sacramento.

The tournament began this past Monday, May 5, with the players from Cordova taking the course on Tuesday, May 6. Results were not available at press time and information will be provided next week. 

Juniors Nate Zilles and Mason Gibbons, along with freshman Eli Cervantes, earned spots in the tournament based on their play throughout the season. As a team, the Lancers finished in fourth-place within the Metro League with an overall record of 4-6. Head coach Brian Botsford is pleased with how everything has gone for his team overall on the links this spring. 

“I feel very good,” Botsford said about his team’s performance. “It’s a tough league. West Park has six top guys and sort of ran away with it. I think we’re in a good league for golf and I think we’re very competitive in this league. We can only get better.”

Each of the three youngsters are excellent student athletes and quality young men, according to Botsford.

When asked about Cervantes and his impact on the team in his freshman year, Botsford was quick to praise the underclassman.

“He’s very impressive,” Botsford said. “I can say this with all my players, they’re good kids and all top students, including Eli (Cervantes). In his time at Cordova, I have no doubt he will make it to Divisionals every year.”

In other golf news, Botsford revealed that the team has hired an assistant head coach, Ryan Harris, who was brought onto the team in mid-April. Botsford said that Harris will help improve the entire program and plans are in the works to start a junior varsity golf team next school year.