Mira Costa Golfers Beat Rival Redondo,181-202

This year's crop of golfers at Mira Costa have less experience than in years past, but they are learning, and proved Thursday that they can rebound from a close defeat.

“Everyone had us under the bus at the beginning of the year, because we lost several players, but these guys have been a lot of fun and are really coming together,” Mira Costa coach Bob Timberlake said.

After dropping their first match with Redondo Union on Tuesday 196-195, the Mustangs fought back for a decisive 185-202 win, picking up a split for the week, and improving their Bay League record to 6-2 (9-3 overall).

“The one stroke loss hurt a lot," Lorenzo Gillenwater said. "The whole team left at least one stroke each out on the course. It was good to comeback and beat them at our home course.”

Three-fourths of Mira Costa’s team began the year without varsity experience, but have steadily improved, with consistently strong play from the top of their lineup.

Returning Bay League Player of the Year David Kim was the low man for the Mustangs with a one-under 33 at Chester Washington on Thursday.

Kim, who has been filling the shoes of the number one spot for the Mustangs this season, forgot his golf spikes and borrowed coach Bob Timberlake’s size 15 shoes.

Kim (normally a size 10.5) picked up birdies on holes 3 and 5 and was overall pleased with his play, if not the footwear.

“Those are some big shoes," Kim said. "I was hitting it close all day. I have been working on my putting a lot, but that hasn’t shown yet.”

Senior captain J.P. Harper had a consistent round with 8 pars and one bogey on the card for a round of 35.

“I made bogey on the fifth, but overall I felt solid out there, lots of greens and two-putts,” Harper said.

Gillenwater fired a round of 36 followed by James Houston’s 37 and the Mustangs used a 39 (Evan Westerberg and Krishna Shergan) to finish out their scoring.

Kenny Cole shot an even-par 34 to lead Redondo.

“David is our number one guy and he fills the bill," said Timberlake. "J.P. is a captain who has been all-league for three years and provides us with great leadership. The rest of the team is doing smart things and improving each time out."

Freshman Kyle Cohen and J.J. Stansbury also figure to be in the mix for the remainder of the season, as teammates jockey for varsity position by playing in a series of ladder matches to determine their individual spots.

The Mustangs, who suffered a one-stroke defeat earlier in the season to Chadwick, will finish up Bay League play next week with a dual match against South Torrance, who also sports a 6-2 league record.

The match up gives the Mustangs the opportunity to control their own destiny, as a sweep will earn them the outright league title, while a split will make them co-champions.