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The unforgiving fairways of Pleasanton’s Castlewood Country Club wreaked havoc on the Berkeley High boys golf team on Thursday, adding 42 strokes to the Yellowjackets’ best home score to send them home with a less-than-spectacular 247. 

The deep and consistent Foothill Falcons took full advantage of its home course, navigating the hilly nine holes in an impressive 201 strokes. The BHS loss dropped the ’Jackets to 1-11 in the East Bay Athletic League, where they are currently tied with struggling Granada High in last place. 

“(The course was) much harder than Tilden,” BHS coach Rodney Kopish said after the match. “It’s a country club course, very hilly, with tight, narrow fairways, and a really hard-breaking green. It was a tough, tough course.” 

BHS No. 1 golfer Ivan Holmes once again turned in the team’s best score, carding a 42. Curran Kennedy and Adam Breckler also played well at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots, posting 46 and 48, respectively. 

Matt Wickett and Ronald Quintero completed the BHS top five, scoring 55 and 56. 

“They’re starting to realize (their potential), and getting more upset when they don’t play well,” Kopish said about the team’s newly adopted competitive attitude. “That makes a big difference.” 

The match marked the fourth in four days for Berkeley, which participated in tournaments on Monday and Wednesday. While Kopish was pleased with the progress he witnessed throughout the busy week, he admits that the upcoming week off will be therapeutic for the exhausted ’Jackets. 

“There was a sense of relaxation and exhaustion today,” the coach said. “They’re very much looking forward to spring break, for a chance to put the clubs down for a few days in a row.” 

After spring break, Berkeley High returns to the links for two more league matches before the regular season ends. The ’Jackets host San Ramon Valley at Tilden Park on April 24, before closing out the 2000 campaign on the road against California High on April 27. The EBAL tournament is slated to begin May 1.