The JSerra boys golf team has stopped using the Lions nickname the rest of the school’s athletic programs use, choosing instead to be called the Lakers, as in the NBA team that plays at Staples Center.
And it’s not for a good reason.
JSerra coach Brian Schippel said the team is loaded with talent, just like the Lakers this season, but for some reason it can’t find a way to turn potential into consistent results.
On Wednesday, the Lions turned in a record-setting performance at Arroyo Trabuco Golf course. They beat St. Margaret’s, 181-187, finished 1-over par as a team and eclipsed the school record at their home course by six strokes.
So there’s the proof. The Lions can indeed post some low scores, yet they have lost all six of their Trinity League matches.
“Just goes to show you how tough our league actually is,” Schippel said in an email. “Hopefully, the guys can keep it going. That is the kind of scores I knew that this team was capable of shooting.”
Jack Lutz and Jonny Unterman, both sophomores, medaled against St.Margaret’s after shooting 2-under-par 34s. Unterman had seven pars and holed consecutive birdies on Nos. 5 and 6. Lutz was 1over when he walked to the seventh tee, but he finished with an eagle and a birdie.
The big problem for the Lions, Schippel said, is they rarely have all of their starters competing simultaneously. In Wednesday’s match, Schippel said, two seniors were away on a retreat.
“This is the first year that we have been deep enough to still be able to shoot good scores when some of our key players are out,” Schippel said. “I’m lucky to have a great group of guys this season and hope that we can finish the season.”
The Lions have three Trinity League matches scheduled at their home course next week, playing host to No. 1 Mater Del, St.John Bosco of Bellflower and No. 2 Servite at Arroyo Trabuco.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
Beckman junior Johnny Hyun finished with a 2-over 144 on the Zaharias Course at Industry Hills Golf Club to finish tied for sixth in the 36-hole Toyota Tour Cup tournament held there April 6-7.
Hyun, who medaled in the Patriots’ victory against Corona del Mar on Monday at Tustin Ranch Golf Club, finished with a 1-over 72 in both the first and second rounds at Industry Hills. …
Ramiz Jamal and Cameron Kaneko, both five-time medalists for Marina this season, and Jack Ireland, the medalist in the Titans’ victory against San Clemente on April 4, are among the 63 boys who will tee off in the AJGA Preseason Junior at Oak Valley this weekend in Beaumont.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Two of the top teams in the South Coast League will meet Tuesday when No. 3 Tesoro plays Capistrano Valley at Coto de Caza.
The Titans have won five of the six matches they have played on the South Course at the country club, but in their past three matches, they have finished in the low 190s, dropping their front-nine scoring average there to 190.3.
Sophomore Gordon Neale has medaled for the Titans four times at Coto de Caza this spring.
Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com
Hot List
Players who have had a breakout season:
Samuel Kim, Northwood (above): Tied for third in the county in medals with eight.
Alex Valdez, Loara: Medaled in 11 of 17 matches for the Saxons.
Matt Lutz, El Dorado: Set school record at Black Gold Golf Course by shooting
4-under 32 on the front nine.
Jake Ruttenbur, Trabuco Hills: Posted the low score for Mustangs seven times in 2013.
Ari Gulugian, University: Posted 3-under 32 in a victory against Corona del Mar at Strawberry Farms.
