Mount Si’s boys golf team has been on a tear to start the 2010 season, and that continued last Thursday, Sept. 30, with a home win over Sammamish.

Without top player Jack Kelly, off on an official college visit to Washington State, one of several Northwest Division I colleges recruiting the Wildcat senior, Mount Si posted its best team round of this fall in a 188-210 win over the Totems; the lower score is the winning one in golf.

Four players shot in the 30s on the par-36 Mount Si Golf Course layout over nine holes and leading that effort was medalist Mitchel Gardunia, who shot an even-par 36 to lead the Wildcats. Three others shot 37s, and they included senior Brandon Snyder, who was thrilled with the results, especially in light of Kelly’s absence. “Huge. Jack’s our number one player. He usually comes to play every day brings in a low score, but our team stepped up. Shot our best round of the year as a team,” Snyder said.

The others who shot 37 were Sean Ballsmith and Cooper Helm. Ballsmith has been a solid addition to the Wildcats this season, transferring in from Eastside Catholic. He is one of a few players on the roster who have summer tour experience on the WJGA tour.

This experience has helped Mount Si to a 5-1 start this season with their only loss coming last Monday, Sept. 27, to Interlake. Snyder is excited about that as well. “We’re having a good year. We didn’t think we would do as good as we have been doing, but our team’s just really stepped up,” he said.

Wesley Nelson fired a 41 and Ben Wheeler carded a 43 to round out the top scores for Mount Si; Sammamish was led by the 37 of Patrick Rasckko.