BACK FOR MORE—Charlotte Gibson helped lead the Westlake High girls’ golf team to a Marmonte League title last season. This year, the Warriors are the clear-cut favorite to defend their crown. The Westlake High girls’ golf team won the Marmonte League championship in 2008.

This year, the Warriors are even better.

“It’s very obvious that they’ve got one of the premier teams in all of Southern California,” Agoura head coach Gary Gray said.

Although Westlake will likely capture another league crown, other Marmonte schools are playing well on the links.

In most other leagues, Royal would cruise to a first-place finish. The Highlanders boast a solid senior core and one of the top freshmen in the area. And they recently shattered a school record.

Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley are tough squads who will likely earn playoff bids.

Agoura has several solid players, but many newcomers to the sport make competing with the Marmonte’s upper tier difficult.

Moorpark is a talented, young team that needs more seasoning.

With only one senior, Newbury Park is rebuilding with youth. Calabasas is expected to occupy the cellar.

Westlake Warriors

After losing four of its top six players to graduation, the Warriors are pleasantly surprised by their success.

“We’re a lot stronger than I thought we’d be before the season started,” said head coach Dave Costley, who has led the program since girls’ golf was introduced as a CIF-sanctioned sport in 1998.

“We were league champions last year, and this year’s team is better. I’m a bit shocked.”

Senior Charlotte Gibson, who won the Marmonte individual league title last year, has returned to ravage courses. Vivian Shi, another senior, placed sixth during the 2008 league tournament. Danielle Kang is Westlake’s marquee addition.

Kang transferred to WHS from Oak Park last year but had to sit out a season because of eligibility rules. Kang, who will likely play for Pepperdine, was one of the top players on the Oak Park boys’ golf team as sophomore. The Eagles don’t field a girls’ golf squad.

“She is an absolutely excellent golfer,” Costley said of the senior Kang. “I fully expect her to be the best kid in the county this year.”

Lauren Diaz-Yi is an “outstanding” golfer, the coach said. Not far behind her is fellow freshman Sophia Chen. Another freshman, Nancy Liu, is a solid contributor.

Although Costley knows he has a talented team, he doesn’t want the Warriors to feel unnecessary pressure.

“If they play to their potential, I really think there are endless possibilities,” the longtime coach said. “My thing is I try to get them to relax and enjoy the game. If we do that, we’re going to be fine.

“Kids tend to put pressure on themselves. I say, the pressure is on your opponents. You’re very good. Just go out, relax, have a good time and play your round.”

Royal Highlanders

Bob Misko, the Highlanders head coach, is in good spirits these days. So what if Royal will likely finish second to the Warriors for a third straight year?

“We’ve got the best team we’ve ever had,” said Misko. “Westlake has the best team in the history of the league.”

Royal is stacked with four quality seniors and a freshman phenom.

Freshman Shannon Holden and senior Taylor Gould are both No. 1-caliber golfers.

Lauren Carlson, Lindsey Lewis and Brittani Sua are part of a strong senior core.

Juniors Maile Kim and K.J. Fleming are important contributors. Royal has depth beyond their top seven golfers.

The Highlanders broke a school record by shooting 204 against Thousand Oaks on Sept. 8 at Simi Hills Golf Course. The previous record for a team score was 211. Misko said he would like the Highlanders to qualify for the CIF-Southern Section Northern Divisional final.

“I told the girls I use a Tiger Woods approach,” Misko said. “There are three things to master. One is yourself. One is the golf course. And the other is your opponent. We can’t do anything about our opponents, but we can handle ourselves and try to improve.”

Thousand Oaks Lancers

The Lancers have received a boost from two student-athlete transfers.

“I’m excited about this team,” second-year head coach Rod Stillwell said. “A couple transfers are really accomplished golfers, and they’ve really stepped up our program.”

Sophomore Esther Cho, formerly of La Mirada, and junior Brenna Callero from La Reina will try and help the Lancers earn a postseason trip. Stillwell considers sophomore Stacy Mann to be Thousand Oaks’ strongest golfer.

Viktoria Cummings, Sarena Doyle and Caitlin Kilbourne also contribute for the Lancers. Stillwell said he likes his players’ competitive spirit.

“They’re more concerned with getting better,” the coach said. “We won a match the other day, and the girls were not happy. They each thought they could have scored better. Playing their best is their first concern, and that’s a great attitude to have.”

Simi Valley Pioneers

The Pioneers hope to compete with Thousand Oaks for third place in the final league standings.

Fourth-year coach Charlie Alfonso is pleased with his squad’s early season play.

“I have all hardworking girls who are dedicated to learning more about golf,” the coach said.

Senior Hailee Cook sent Alfonso regular text messages that she was playing golf almost every day this summer.

Alfonso was skeptical about Cook’s claims, but he believed her after watching the senior take one swing at the very first tryout. The coach said Cook has improved immensely, especially with her confidence.

Juniors Kayla Sonsalla, Taylor Cartwright, Monica Fisher and Megan Berman all contribute for the Pioneers.

Senior Clara Kim is a consistent golfer who works hard, the coach said. Sophomore Brooke Somes and freshmen Brooke Delao and Allison Klock are contributors who will likely make a bigger splash in 2010.

Agoura Chargers

Last year, Agoura only had six golfers. This year, the roster is up to 13 athletes, and the Chargers have an outside shot to make the playoffs.

“Hopefully the kids will get a better understanding of what they need to do in the program and that will carry on to the next year,” said head coach Gary Gray, who is in his 12th year leading Agoura. “I see the girls improving and doing great things.”

This season, the Chargers have witnessed excellent play from seniors Katherine Liu and Lauren Amador. Junior Kelsey Freedland, who didn’t play last year, rounds out the top of Agoura’s lineup.

“I’m very pleased with their performance,” Gray said of Liu, Amador and Freedland.

Juniors Sydney Levaton and Colette Compton also contribute. Freshman Amanda Merfeld is another player to watch.

Moorpark Musketeers

Although the Musketeers have struggled at times, they know the future looks good.

With no seniors, Moorpark is trying to play more consistent golf.

“We’ve had some good matches,” fourth-year head coach Dave Chapman said. “Other matches, we struggle.”

After battling injuries last year, junior Madison McBride has worked her way to become the Musketeers’ top golfer.

Clarissa Buch, Alexa Liacko, Hannah Green, Ashley Baker, Julie Inlow and Erin Sandlin also contribute for Moorpark.

“The girls are really into it this year,” Chapman said. “Our league is so strong that we’ll have to play extremely well (to qualify for the postseason). We need to be a lot more consistent—we’ve ranged from a low score of 243, and we’ve gone up to 292. It’s a matter of consistency for us.”

Newbury Park Panthers

Thirteen of the 18 Panthers are freshmen or sophomores.

Head coach Nori Parvin is pleased that many of her golfers are taking private lessons, which she hopes will translate into lower scores soon.

“They’re interested in it,” the longtime coach said. “The girls are trying to execute and practice.”

Jane Shon, the squad’s lone senior, and juniors Natalie Smalldon and Melissa Han lead the way for Newbury Park. Junior Nicole Janson is a returning contributor. Parvin hopes her Panthers can learn from some of the top players they face in the Marmonte, especially Westlake.

“I go tell kids to watch (our opponents) and learn from them,” the coach said. “This is the 12th year of girls’ golf. The talent level has been unbelievable the last five or six years, and the Marmonte League is very strong.”

Calabasas Coyotes

Calabasas head coach Midge McChristy did not reply to multiple interview requests for this story.