NEWPORT BEACH – Corona del Mar has had some talented boys golf teams over the years, but it was never able to find much success outside of a CIF-SS regional tournament.
That could be about to change.
This year’s lineup is extremely deep, and Tuesday all five of the Sea Kings that figured into the final score – a 183-189 nonleague victory against San Clemente – finished in the 30s.
Ian Fletcher’s 4-over par 38 was the highest score the No. 2 Sea Kings had to count at Newport Beach Country Club.
“We have a lot of good players, so you know that even if you don’t necessarily play well,” freshman Chase Furey said, “you have guys that can do it if you don’t.”
Furey did his part, shooting an even-par 34 to share medalist honors with San Clemente’s Sammy Schwartz.
Furey had two birdies and one bogey on the slightly reconfigured front nine.
The tee box on the par-5 No. 3 is being repaired, and the hole was shortened by 200 yards and playing as a par-4, which is why the front nine was a par-34 for the match instead of par-35.
Hale Furey, Chase’s brother, Drew Hanson and Garrett Wayne each added a 3-over 37 for the Sea Kings.
Ryan Moore and Austin Briggs also fired a 37 for the Tritons.
“This (having all five in the 30s) feels really good, but golf is a game that you can’t predict anything, if you do, you are going to step all over yourself,” Corona del Mar coach Mike Starkweather said. “This group is deep. They don’t want to lose.”
Losing is something that rarely happens for the Sea Kings at Newport Beach Country Club. Tuesday’s victory was their seventh in a row this season at their home course, improving their record since the start of the 2012 season to 16-1.
Woodbridge was the only team to beat the Sea Kings during that span, edging them by one stroke on April 23, 2012.
The Warriors return to Newport Beach CC next Tuesday for a match that could go a long way in determining the Pacific Coast League championship. The Warriors beat the Sea Kings, 184-192, on their home course, Rancho San Joaquin, on March 27.
“That is going to be tough,” Starkweather said.
