Strong bond means serious success for Westlake golf squad

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SUPER SIX—Westlake High girls' golf team members, from left, Tiffany Uichanco, Liz Cornelison, Kayla Picciano, Kate Gatena, Charlotte Gibson and Vivian Shi have led WHS to a 17-0 overall record this season. The Warriors are 12-0 in league competition. There's strength in numbers for the Westlake High girls' golf team.

With a roster featuring six quality players who are all capable of shooting a match-low score on any given afternoon, the Warriors are off to a 17-0 start this season, including a 12-0 mark in the Marmonte League.

Head coach Dave Costley, who's been with the program since its inception in 1998, said this is the deepest team he's ever coached at Westlake.

The Warriors have won four consecutive league titles.

"That's the secret to our success," Costley said. "We don't have anybody who shoots real low, but we don't have anyone who shoots real high, either.

"If someone has a bad day, we replace their score with our No. 6 golfer's score. We don't give up many strokes."

According to Costley, who retired from teaching at Westlake in 2003, junior Charlotte Gibson is averaging a team-best score of 39.3—the girls play nine holes per match until league finals.

Gibson, a three-year member of the varsity squad, is a selfdescribed sports junkie who began developing a love for golf several years ago while competing at Westlake Golf Course.

These days she can be found on the links just about any day of the year, in season or out of season.

"You have to work hard for this. You have to practice," Gibson said. "I love it. To me, it's fun to play. It's not like I dread going to the course every day."

Although she competes in numerous nonschoolrelated tournaments throughout the year, Gibson said the Warriors' camaraderie makes team golf just as exciting as the more high-profile individual events.

"We get along really well, and we're all friends outside of golf," Gibson said. "We try to push each other because we know our potential, and we know how well we can actually play."

Liz Cornelison, a senior who's in her second year playing at WHS after transferring from Hillcrest Christian in Thousand Oaks, is averaging a 40.5.

When she was at Hillcrest Christian as a freshman, Cornelison competed on the boys' team. As a transfer, she had to sit out her sophomore year for the Warriors.

Although this year's squad remains undefeated, Cornelison said Westlake still hasn't hit its peak.

"Individually, we've all had our good years before, and last year may have been my best year," Cornelison said.

"This year we haven't all been at our best. There are only a couple of people who've done really well all year."

If everyone gets it going at once, look out, she added.

"I hope it comes by CIF and we're all just ready to go," Cornelison said.

Seniors Tiffany Uichanco, Kate Gatena and Kayla Picciano are all four-year varsity members who've never finished outside of first place in league.

Uichanco averages a 41, Gatena a 43 and Picciano a 43.5, Costley said.

Because they enjoy competing together, Uichanco said the Warriors rarely get complacent during league matches, despite all their recent success.

"Having fun is what really motivates us, especially since we love the sport," Uichanco said.

"It really never gets old— playing golf. Winning is a great thing, too."

Gatena and Uichanco often walk the course together and have formed a tight bond over the years. They tell jokes and keep each other loose on the links.

"Now (Uichanco) is one of my best friends," Gatena said. "We've become really close, but I didn't even know her before golf. It's brought us together."

Westlake has only advanced past the first round of CIF once, in 2005, and last year's early exit has provided extra incentive to improve, said Picciano.

"It definitely has motivated us to get back there and to do better," Picciano said.

"There are a lot of good teams in CIF, and we've played a few of them in non-league matches and outside tournaments. There are some real competitive teams, but I definitely think we have a great chance to advance."

Junior Vivian Shi is the team's No. 6 golfer. She's averaging a 45 on the season.

Although only the top five scores count in any match, Shi is still counted on to step up and provide decent scores in case another team member struggles.

"Just looking at how dedicated all the girls are, it inspires me to try harder," Shi said.

WHS has a match this afternoon against Moorpark at Elkins Ranch Golf Course in Fillmore. The girls tee off at 2:30 p.m.

Postseason play gets underway in November.