The Varsity team kicked it off with a win over Foothill on Tuesday at Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton. The majority of our team had not played the course before, and with a slope rating of 139, it’s considered a genuinely challenging track. Despite all that, 

The Dons won the match 191-218 (remember folks, low score wins in golf 😉

Speaking of low scores, Naveen Ahuja (junior) led the team shooting a 35 (-1), Durham Vail (junior) shot a 37 (+1), Grant Gebhardt (junior) shot a 38 (+2), Krish Veluthakkal (sophomore) shot a 39 (+3), Rocco Stassi (junior) shot a 42 (+6), and Isaac Topp (junior) shot a 45 (+8).

Returning coach, Steve Nelson, explained that, “We decided not to make any cuts this year and are working towards developing the underclassmen to help with the future of the program. The next few seasons of Acalanes Golf should be exciting as we have a very experienced team.”

Fun fact: The Pleasanton course is a preserve for the Callippe Silverspot butterfly (Speyeria callippe callippe), a federally listed threatened species. The butterfly depends on the Johnny Jump-up plant for its survival — females lay eggs on or near the plant, and caterpillars feed on it before pupating. Adults live for only about three weeks.