Placer wins Foothill Valley League boys golf championship

Placer High School's boys golf team claimed the Foothill Valley League championship Monday at The Ridge in Auburn. The Hillmen shot a combined 395 on the 18-hole course. West Park placed second with a 414. "West Park had a very strong team last year, and I thought they had to be the favorite going into the league," Placer coach Greg French said. "It really surprised me how well our boys did. I've been doing this for 15 years, and not a lot of Division III teams can shoot as well as these kids have this year." Four Placer golfers shot 80 or below, with Ben Manley and Nate Roche each shooting 77. French praised his team's abilities, noting they don't try to do anything too fancy and they take a methodical and calculated approach to each shot. "It's a matter of managing the golf course, and they can do it really well," French said. "A lot of things I teach them, they can pick up on pretty well. They're excited about playing, and they feel like they can win every time." Placer will play Monday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Tournament at Copper Valley Golf Course in Copperopolis. The Hillmen will be challenged against other top D-III opponents such as Central Catholic and Vista del Lago. French said while he wants his team to compete, he also wants them to enjoy playing one of the premier courses in the area. "If you get to the playoffs, you usually will play a very, very nice course," French said. "They should soak in just the fact that they are going to a championship course and it's going to be a great experience."