YORBA LINDA – A dream that began for Matt Lutz when he started playing for the El Dorado varsity golf team as a freshman finally came true four years later in his final high school match on the Golden Hawks’ home course.
His 2-under par 34 at Black Gold Golf Club helped El Dorado clinch its fourth consecutive Century League title with a 191-201 victory against Villa Park.
“It feels pretty awesome. When I was a freshman, I knew that we had a pretty good group of guys that could get four banners in the gym,” said Lutz, the only player on the roster who has been a part of all four championships. “It is kind of an awesome feeling, too, knowing that I played well in my last high school match at home.”
Four Golden Hawks (17-2, 11-0) broke 40 in the victory as Thomas Gutierrez, Cole Alexander and Tristan Koyl all carded a 3-over 39. But Lutz was the only player in the match to post a sub-par round as he medaled for the ninth time this season.
Luke Grogger led the Spartans (9-2) with a 2-over 38 and Chris Adnams added a 39.
Despite playing in a strong Santa Ana wind, Lutz had an eagle and two birdies on his trip around the front nine as he lowered his scoring average in his medal-winning matches at Black Gold to 36.0. It was the third time that he has posted a 34 this season there.
“It (the wind) made the course play a lot harder, especially with how firm the greens were,” Lutz said. “In conditions like this it shows that our team has a lot of good athletes and we love to compete. And when it is tough like this you have to stay strong, focus on your game and take what the course gives you.”
Despite clinching the championship, El Dorado coach Wayne Carlson is bringing the Golden Hawks back to Black Gold for practice on Thursday.
In just a little more than two weeks time, the Golden Hawks will likely have to play quite a bit better than this to have any chance of advancing out of the CIF-SS team regional. Only two teams, instead of three as in past seasons, will make it to the SCGA qualifying tournament, one of the three that a team has to conquer to make it to the state championship, the regional tournament being the first.
“No team has ever made it past (a regional) so that would be great to do it this year,” he said. “There is always room for improvement, but I think we have a really good shot to do that this year.”
