Ceres High senior-to-be Gary Condit posted career-best rounds while competing in a pair of Junior Golf Association of Northern California tournaments this past month.
“It’s totally different compared to high school,” Condit said. “The competition is a lot tougher. They don’t care if you’re a two-time MVP. They’re there to win, too. There’s a little more pressure because it’s a bigger stage.”
"There’s a little more pressure because it’s a bigger stage.”CHS golfer Gary M. Condit
Gary tied for 12th with a two-day-total of 158 (78-80) while making his third appearance at the George Maroney Tournament, staged July 18-19, Modesto.
The event featured a total of 26 players.
“It was my best finish there so far,” he said. “I’m really proud of how I played.”
Condit was 14-over-par at the Maroney.
He shot a 78 in the first round at Creekside on July 18. He had 13 pars.
He shot an 80 in the second round at Dryden on July 19. He had one birdie and 10 pars.
“I had two bad holes that cost me the second day,” Gary said.
Condit took 31st in a field of 64 at the Bumgardner Memorial Tournament, staged, July 16-17, at Modesto’s Del Rio Country Club.
“This was my third year competing in the tournament,” he said. “It was my best showing. I’m pretty proud of how I played. I had two bad holes each day.”
Gary posted an overall score of 12-over-par 167.
He shot an 83 in the opening round on July 16. He had one birdie and eight pars.
He shot an 84 in the final round on July 17. He had one birdie and six pars.
“It’s a challenging course,” Condit said. “I’m not used to the country-club feel—a lot of trees and fast greens. It’s kind of humbling. I know what I need to do and I’m really close to getting there. I have the game. I just got to believe in it.”
Gary enjoyed a success-filled junior campaign with Ceres High’s varsity boys golf program this past spring.
He added to his already-impressive résumé by earning low-medalist honors at the Western Athletic Conference Year-End Tournament for the third year in a row. He carded a 9-over-par 81 on April 30 at Rancho Del Rey Golf Course.
He also led the Bulldog to their third consecutive WAC overall championship.
Condit was named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.
He finished in sixth place (78) at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament, held on May 7 at Merced Golf & Country Club.
Gary fired a 7-over-par 79 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships on May 11 at The Reserve at Spanos Park. He fell six strokes short of securing a berth to NorCals.
Condit will compete in the JGANC Turlock Junior Tournament on Aug. 4 at the Turlock Country Club.
He’ll be vying for a top-10 finish.
“It’s really great practice to play competitive golf each week,” Condit said. “It’s going to help me a lot in the long run. You can’t take a break with this sport. You’ll lose your touch. That’s why I gave up basketball.”
