Warrior golfers in a league of their own

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers BEST OF THE BUNCH—Westlake High varsity boys' golf team members, from left, Zack Cameron, Brandon Hagy, Brian Cook, Jake Katz, Cole Seeger and Justin Edwards led the Warriors to 10 consecutive Marmonte League victories to open the season. During the past month the Acorn has run Marmonte League overviews for numerous high school spring sports. In the majority of those stories, the race for the league title has been described as extremely close.

Boys' golf is different.

On the links, there is Westlake High and everyone else. The Warriors returned five of their top six players from last season's Marmonte title winner and won their first 10 league matches.

"Westlake is so dominating that our kids don't just call them good, they call them 'stupid good,'" Simi Valley head coach Roger McCamy said.

Warrior head coach David Costley said his team's expectations are sky high.

"The kids' goal is to get to the state match," Costley said. "If everyone plays to their potential I think it could happen, but I hesitate to bank on that. Getting there is the first step, and the players should enjoy that journey."

Westlake has six seniors who will play college golf in the fall including Brandon Hagy, the Marmonte League Player of the Year in 2008 who's averaging a 71.5 and has signed with Cal Berkeley. Marshall Colby, a first-team all-league member, is averaging a 73.5 and is headed to Oregon.

Juniors Jake Katz and Chris Doyle, along with seniors Cole Seeger, Justin Edwards, Brian Johnsen and Kevin Santos have also been stellar for the Warriors.

Thousand Oaks has been the league's second-best squad with a 7-3 mark. The Lancers are led by senior Kyler Sauer, who's averaging a 72.8. Thus far, head coach Rod Stillwell has enjoyed Sauer's calm demeanor.

"Sauer never gets too rattled," Stillwell said. "He's not one to get overly excited, whether he has a great hole or a bad hole. He's a great golfer and even better young man."

Besides Sauer, the Lancers have three other golfers averaging less than 80—sophomore Nate Fischer (75), senior Nolan Kovach (76.45) and junior Derek Larson (78.27).

Junior Yuuki Kurisu and sophomore Zach DeBruno have added depth for TOHS.

Perennial powerhouse Royal hasn't been its usual self with a 4-6 record entering the week. That being said, the Highlanders have a pair of outstanding links men in senior Chris Gilbert and sophomore Bobby Holden.

Gilbert, who's made a verbal commitment to the University of Kansas, is averaging a 73.9. Holden averages 76.2.

The rest of the RHS squad consists of seniors Julian Ho and Justin Hutchins, freshman Riley Michaelis and junior Alex Blanchard.

Royal head coach Bob Misko said a lack of players trying out for the team has resulted in higher numbers on the scorecards.

"Our talent has kind of dried up," Misko said. "We haven't had a good group of incoming freshmen for a while. I've searched for the reason why, and I just don't know.

Agoura sits in third place. The Chargers entered the week with a 5-4 Marmonte record.

The Chargers' top golfer is senior Michael Bassler, who's averaging a 74.9. The rest of the squad is filled out by five talented juniors—Jacob Gralitzer, Cory Wilson, Ryan Hendler, Jake Silbereich and Patrick Yang.

Sophomores Jonathan Masjebi and Thatcher Alcroft have also contributed for Agoura.

Although AHS earned an impressive two-stroke victory over Thousand Oaks earlier this season, head coach Gary Gray still believes there's room for improvement.

"Thousand Oaks is still the No. 2 team in the league," Gray said. "We've been competitive with them, but I believe they're still a more consistent squad than we are. It's going to be a real dogfight between Royal, Simi Valley and Calabasas for the third and fourth playoff spots.

Simi Valley is led by senior Chase Patten, a four-year starter.

"Patten has excellent course management and excellent command of all his shots," said McCamy, the Pioneers' head coach.

Seniors Matt McLaughlin and Kris Hanson, junior Dominic Ciolfy, and sophomores Cooper Plyler and Joe DeFlavio have also been stellar for the Pioneers.

Calabasas, the fourth place finisher out of the Marmonte last season, currently sits in the No. 4 spot again with a 5-6 league mark.

Lance Novak's squad is led by junior Brandon Molnar, who's averaging a 78. Sophomore Kevin Lee, juniors Kyle Demski and Jordan Malinoff, and seniors Josh Mesna and Adam Berger have shot well for the Coyotes.

To make the postseason again, Novak said the Coyotes must improve their chipping, which has been an Achilles' heel all year long.

Although Moorpark lost six of its top players from last season, the Musketeers have shown promise with wins over Royal, Newbury Park and Agoura.

"We seem to knock on the door for the playoffs every year, MHS head coach Dave Chapman said. "I'm not saying it's impossible for us to make it this year, but we would have to play unbelievable the rest of the way because our league is so fantastic."

Moorpark's lineup features two seniors—Christian Lum and Kyle McNamara. The squad's top two golfers—Matt Mungovan and Greg Smith—are juniors, while Brennen Wright is a sophomore.

Junior Anthony Ohler and sophomore Rikesh Patel have both spent time in the No. 6 spot for the Musketeers.

Newbury Park is also in a rebuilding mode, but 14-year head coach Greg Ropes is pleased with his squad's progress thus far.

"This team has a huge enthusiasm for playing, and it's been downright fun to work with them," Ropes said. "They're extremely intelligent, and real good guys."

The Panthers' top two golfers—Donovan Tingloff and Jacob Chastain—are juniors, while Nathan Atkins and Taylor Kress are only sophomores. All four are averaging scores in the low 80s.

Seniors Zack Snow and Piers Fibigers have also played well.