Warrior golfers confident they can overtake Royal
Consistency is the key for Westlake
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers BOTTOM OF THE CUP- Westlake's Michael Frees rattles home a putt during Monday's match against Newbury Park.

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Westlake High boys' golf team is in a familiar position- battling Royal for a Marmonte League title.

Entering Wednesday's match against Agoura at Malibu Country Club, the Warriors were 13-2 overall and 8-1 in league play. Westlake's only league loss was against Royal, which is undefeated and in first place.

Still, Westlake head coach David Costley believes there is time for the Warriors to overtake the Highlanders for the top spot.

"The way the league works, if you are in the top three entering the league championships and you win, then you win league," Costley said.

"We have a very good team, and I feel our top six is better than Royal's top six. The only difference between our two squads so far is Royal's been a lot more consistent than we've been."

Costley said the inconsistency has been prevalent in the Warriors' short game.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers TAKING A LOOK- Westlake's Brian Wu watches his drive land safely on the green at Los Robles.

"Earlier in the year we were three-putting many holes, and that's why our scores were a little higher than usual," Costley said. "We'd like to have no more than two putts a hole. Lately we've been doing that."

Sophomore Tanner Holland said the team started to become more consistent after its loss to Royal.

"Royal was a big wake-up call for us," Holland said. "It proved to be a good gauge of where we were at. We had this projection of where we should be, and then to lose by 12 strokes to a good team opened our eyes a little."

Senior D.J. Frees said spring break also helped turn the Warriors' fortunes around.

"During spring break, everyone on our team had some time to rethink what we were doing," Frees said. "Since then we've been more consistent. Our short games have really improved, and we're doing a better job of taking it one match at a time."

Leading the way for WHS is junior Marshall Colby.

"Colby has been consistent for us all year," Costley said. "His overall game is very good. The fact that he's able to drive the ball far, as well as chip and putt very well, is what sets him apart from other golfers."

Junior Brandon Hagy is the squad's No. 2 golfer. According to Costley, Hagy has been a little inconsistent but has shown flashes of brilliance.

Earlier in the season, Hagy took first place in the Future Collegians World Tour Hunter Ranch Invitational at Hunter Ranch Golf Course. By shooting a 6underpar 138 that day, Hagy earned a spot in the American Junior Golf Association and a place on the Future Collegians World Tour.

The Warriors' No. 3 and 4 golfers are a pair of sophomores, Jake Katz and Chris Doyle.

Costley said Katz "is the most improved player on the squad." Doyle broke into the starting lineup late last year and has been solid ever since.

Another player who's stepped up his game is junior Kevin Santos.

"Santos is playing as well has he ever has right now," Costley said. "He was shooting pretty high numbers last year, mostly high 80s, but now he's very comfortable, and it's showing in his lower scores."

Senior Scott Patterson is currently the team's No. 6 golfer, but with as much depth as Westlake has, Costley said that could change at any moment. Holland, Frees, Cole Seeger, Brian Wu and Michael Frees have also seen playing time with the varsity squad.

The fact that Seeger is even playing at all is a good sign. The junior was in a car accident during the second week of the season and bruised his shoulder.

"I'm glad he's out there playing golf, but right now it's tough for him to even swing a club," Costley said. "In time he'll feel better, and he's going to be a huge asset to our team."

Frees said the Warriors aren't thinking about the league championships later this month, opting instead to focus on each remaining league opponent. Frees, however, said there's nothing he wants more than to leave Westlake as a Marmonte League champion.

"As a senior, you always want to go out on top," Frees said. "This team is very young, but we're still absolutely loaded with talent. From our No. 1 guy to our No. 10 guy, everyone pitches in and comes close to par."