The Marina boys golf team has always been tough to beat at Meadowlark Golf Club, but this year the advantage the Vikings have at their home course almost seems unfair.
In four matches there, the Vikings have set a school record and finished under par twice.
On Wednesday, the No. 7 Vikings finished 1-over-par in beating Sunset League rival Los Alamitos, 176-195, equaling the highest score they have posted at Meadowlark.
“We play well here. The guys know the course. They know the greens,” Marina coach Jim Morris said.
All five Vikings who figured into the final score finished in the 30s. Nick Swanson and Patrick Pockels shared medalist honors by each posting a 1-under-par 34. Senior Ramiz Jamal added an even-par 35 for Marina (8-2, 3-0), and Cameron Kaneko and Grant Beran added a 36 and 37, respectively.
“We are playing very well, but I would say we are inconsistent,” Swanson said. “Some days we will struggle, some days we will shoot 7-under.”
The Vikings set a school record at Meadowlark with a 7-under-par 168 in a victory against Troy on March 11.
“I really think that we have a few good months ahead of us,” Swanson added. “We have all been practicing and improving.”
Swanson, who qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship last summer, started playing for Marina about two weeks ago. At the end of January, he injured his left wrist in a snowboarding accident and needed to have surgery to put a plate and screws into his wrist.
“It feels really good. I played well at the L.A. City Championship,” said Swanson, who finished fourth in the tournament this past weekend with rounds of 72, 72 and 68 at Wilson and Harding Municipal Golf Courses.
“I have progressively been swinging harder at it. The physical therapy has really helped.” he added. “I have been able to slowly been able to add more to my back swing. I still feel it a bit every now and then, but I wouldn’t say it is affecting me.”
