The boys golf team holds an 0-3 overall record following two third-place finishes in Mission League Tournaments on March 2 and March 17, respectively, and a 204-215 loss to Windward High School on March 8.<q data-camayak-comment=”put the boys golf team holds clause at the beginning of the sentence (blah blah overall record following a third place….)” class=” collapsed”></q> During the 2020-2021 season, team members Spencer Sherman ’21 and Henry Mariscal ’24 were awarded Mission League All-League.

Due to COVID-19, the CIF playoff tournament hosted fewer teams for competition in 2021; as a result, boys golf did not compete in last season’s playoffs. Boys Golf Program Head Scott Wood said despite the lack of competition experience among the current team members, they aim to have a successful postseason this year.

“[The team] missed [the playoffs] last year for the first time in a while,” Wood said. “[I] want that experience for this team.”

With only two seniors in the program this year, Wood said he is focusing on developing the athletic abilities of younger players who will play a role in shaping the program’s future.

“We are a young team without a ton of experience,” Wood said. “We will go through our ups and downs this year. Improving our consistency and our ability to handle our emotions will be key to our success in the long run.”

First-year player Nate Berg ’23said playing on the golf team has exposed him to an environment that is both fun and competitive.

“I hope to have a good time this season with the great guys on the team,” Berg said. “Still, we want to compete at a high level and represent the school in a good way. We work hard at our craft, but [playing] is also really relaxing.”

Berg said despite the team’s loss to Windward in its second match, he believes they will find success this season as they continue to develop as a unit.

“It is still early in the season and there is still a lot of team bonding to do,” Berg said. “Our team is going to get closer and get more comfortable playing with each other as the season goes on, so there is certainly a foundation to be improved upon.”

Berg said considering his fresh perspective on the game, the early losses have provided valuable opportunities to learn new aspects of golf.

“The team is definitely getting progressively better,” Berg said. “I am fairly new to golf, so all the repetitions I can get with the team out on the course in League play are super beneficial [in] regard to my mentality.”

Alex Mogollon ’22 said as one of two seniors on the team, participating in the golf program throughout his high school career offered him a critical athletic and social outlet.

“The experience has been something that I will always remember,” Mogollon said. “I have been lucky enough to play with a lot of really talented teammates and also learn from really smart coaches. I look forward to seeing how my senior season will bring an end to my experience with the [school’s] golf program.”

Wood said he is excited to see what the program accomplishes in the future as he pushes each player to their fullest potential.

“I see a group of dedicated, passionate golfers who love to practice, play together and work on their games to see how good they can become,” Wood said. “If we can establish a positive and focused culture, the sky is the limit.”

Boys golf plays in the Oak Park Invitational tournament at the North Ranch Country Club on March 21.