By A.J. Calabrese
For the first time in history, the Wolverine boysâ golf team has a chance to advance to the California State playoffs after finishing fourth in the CIF divisional final. Tomorrow the team will play in a State qualifier match at the SCGA course in Murietta.
âWe will work on our mental approach so that we can be as confident as possible,â Head Coach Scott Wood said. âConfidence is key. In golf, there is always room for improvement. That is up to each player to figure out and spend time on.â
Team captain Eli Cole â08 will be joined by Glen Scher â09, Bobby Lange â09, Justin Kim â09, Jeff Wibawa â10 and Ernie Zaferis â11 to take on nine other teams from Southern and Central California. The top three teams and six individuals will advance to state. Scher will represent the Wolverines in individuals.
âGlenâs play has challenged people and his easygoing demeanor has invited the challenge,â Wood said. âMore guys are stepping up and competing with him.â
Wood said that teamwork has factored in greatly to the programâs success this year. He attributes Scher, Cole, Lange and Wibawa making the All Mission League team not just to their skill, but to their cooperation and ability to guide one another.
âCloseness and chemistry go a long way just like in any sport,â Wood said. âEveryone is pushed a little harder towards the same cause. We are only as good as our highest scores.â
If the team qualifies, they will compete in the state championship June 3. Wood expects that, win or lose, this is an achievement each player will take with him for the rest of his golf career.
âIt is an honor for them, no doubt,â he said. âEverything must fall into place at the right time. Thatâs what makes golf so hard.â