2016 Boys Golf Capsule Previews
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: David Fish, eighth season
Returning lettermen: Five
Top golfers: Sam Dickey (Sr.), Cameron Gambini (So.), Hazen Newman (Fr.)
Outlook: The defending Sunset Region champions bring back five lettermen, including University of New Mexico signee Sam Dickey.
“The team is working hard to reach its goal to qualify for the state tournament for the second year in a row,” Fish said.
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BASIC
Head coach: Jimmy Wilson, third season
Returning lettermen: One
Top golfers: Jeff Swaim (Jr.); Zach Longman (Jr.); Gavin Mangan (Jr.)
Outlook: Wilson said he has plenty of players, but little experience. The Wolves expect to carry a roster of 12, but Swaim is the only returning letterman.
“We’re very young,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a lot of kids showing up, but we don’t have the numbers as far as experience on the golf course.”
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BISHOP GORMAN
Head coach: Jim Stanfill, fourth season
Returning lettermen: Three
Top golfers: Christian James (Sr.), Owen Rosebeck (Sr.), Mason Lozzi (So.), Joseph Williams (So.), Mitchell Abbott (So.), Adonis Leblue (Fr.)
Outlook: James, who has committed to play at the University of Utah next year, and Rosebeck, a Pomona College commit, both tied for third in last year’s Division I state meet.
They are two of the three returning lettermen for the Gaels.
“We are looking to ride on the leadership of Christian James and Owen Rosebeck,” Stanfill said. “Not to be diminished will be the contributions of a very young, but talented group of freshmen and sophomores.”
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BONANZA
Head coach: Cheryl Speer, 15th season
Returning lettermen: Zero
Top golfers: Frank Hawley (Fr.)
Outlook: With only three golfers on the preseason roster, the Bengals are focused on individual improvement.
“We’re always looking for improvement in technique and scoring average,” Speer said.
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BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Regina Quintero, seventh season
Returning lettermen: Three
Top golfers: Kyler Atkinson (Jr.), Samu Jancuk (Jr.), Jackson Wright (So.)
Outlook: The Eagles return just three lettermen from a squad that placed third in the Division I-A state meet last year.
Atkinson placed 10th in the state meet last year.
“The Eagles are extremely young this year,” Quintero said. “We are just hoping to get better as a team as the season goes on and the younger players gain some match experience. The returners will need to step up and post some low scores if the team wants to advance to the postseason.”
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CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Richard Dallas, first season
Returning lettermen: One
Top golfer: Dominic David (Fr.)
Outlook: Dallas takes over a team that has only one returning letterman.
“Canyon Springs boys golf basically is a new team,” Dallas said. “They are in the process of building the program under their new coach.”
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CENTENNIAL
Head coach: Michael Stamcoff, sixth season
Returning lettermen: Seven
Top golfers: Joshua James (Sr.), Dillon Gault (Jr.), Jason Fredrickson (So.), Jacob Sherwood (Jr.)
Outlook: James, who averaged 81 strokes per 18 holes last year, joins Gault (86.6 average), Fredrickson (87.8) and Sherwood (90.0) as leading returnees for the Bulldogs.
“We hope to qualify for regionals as a team and for at least one individual to qualify for state,” Stamcoff said.
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CHAPARRAL
Head coach: Chris Brody, second season
Returning lettermen: Four
Top golfers: Brian Brooks (Sr.), Danny Hubley (So.)
Outlook: The Cowboys hope to continue improving in Brody’s second season.
Brooks, who averaged 98 strokes per 18 holes last year, and Hubley (100 average) should be among the leaders.
“Chaparral golf is looking to compete in the division,” Brody said. “We know it takes commitment, patience and hard work. We are looking to push individual skills and to compete as a team.”
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CHEYENNE
Head coach: Jeff Dameworth, third season
Returning lettermen: Two
Top golfers: Sam Carter (Jr.), Lajuan Covington (Jr.)
Outlook: The Desert Shields have just two returning lettermen but hope to continue building.
“We’ve got a couple young players who are looking to improve,” Dameworth said.
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: David Fields, third season
Returning lettermen: Zero
Outlook: Plentiful, but inexperienced may describe the Spartans this year.
“I will have a brand new team, and they are unproven,” Fields said. “I will have the largest team I have had to date at Cimarron. My goal is to qualify for regionals as a team.”
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CLARK
Head coach: Clarence Chun, fourth season
Returning lettermen: Six
Top golfer: Arpepanya Phonsavanh (Jr.)
Outlook: Phonsavanh was a Southern Region meet qualifier last year and returns to lead the Chargers.
“Our team goal is to qualify for the region and state playoffs,” Chun said.
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CORONADO
Head coach: Joe Sawaia, 15th season
Returning lettermen: Four
Top golfers: Grant McKay (Sr.), Jalen Hodges (Jr.), Ethan Bozner (Sr.), Dylan Fritz (Fr.)
Outlook: Hodges averaged 77 strokes per 18 holes last year, and McKay averaged 78. The Cougars also should benefit from the transfer of Bozner from Arbor View.
“We look to defend our region title and compete for a state championship,” Sawaia said.
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DEL SOL
Head coach: Kendel Chrysler, first season
Returning lettermen: Zero
Top golfers: Johnny Killion (Fr.), Noah Lytle (So.), Javier Arroyo (Jr.), Vishaal Hunt (Sr.), Evan Williamson (Sr.), Nyko Camacho (Sr.)
Outlook: Chrysler inherits a team that is hoping to learn quickly.
“We look forward to fielding a full team and improving greatly as the season progresses,” Chrysler said.
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DURANGO
Head coach: John Mausbach, sixth season
Top golfer: Reese Vertrees (Jr.)
Outlook: Vertrees averaged 86 strokes per 18 holes last year and returns to lead the Trailblazers.
“Our goal is to have Reese qualify for region and state,” Mausbach said.
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ELDORADO
Head coach: Jim Fitch, 36th season
Returning lettermen: One
Top golfers: Zack Jensen (Jr.), Matt Manganello (Fr.)
Outlook: Jensen, who shot in the high 90s per 18 holes last year, is the lone returnee but will be joined by Manganello, who could be an impact player.
“They are going to be the mainstays of the team,” Fitch said. “Zach joined the team when he was a sophomore and has made steady progress. We are hoping that his game will come together and will have a competitive season.
“Matt has come to the team with a strong background in the junior golf program. He is tournament tough and is ready to start his high school career. We are hopeful for continued progress on his part and are looking forward to a fine year.”
Filling out the rest of the roster may take some time for the Sundevils.
“I have several new players that are in the process of learning the game, but I’m not sure how much tournament play they will see this year,” Fitch said. “It will all depend on their progress.”
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FAITH LUTHERAN
Head coach: Mark Cheney, fifth season
Returning lettermen: Nine
Top golfers: Charlie Magruder (Jr.), J.R. Tuls (Sr.)
Outlook: Magruder, who finished third in the Division I-A state meet last year, averaged 78.9 strokes per 18 holes and has committed to Gonzaga.
Tuls, who averaged 80 per 18 holes, has committed to Trine (Indiana).
“The competition for the top six (spots) will be fierce, and we anticipate any of the six being capable of posting our low round,” Cheney said. “We will emphasize optimal preparation and performance in all aspects of the game.”
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FOOTHILL
Head coach: Paul DeSantis, eighth season
Returning lettermen: Two
Top golfers: Noah MacFawn (Fr.), Alex Friday (Jr.), Jordan Hughett (Jr.)
Outlook: The Falcons return only two lettermen from last year’s team.
“The goals are always to qualify for the region and state tournaments, play well and have a chance at championships,” DeSantis said.
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GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Greg Murphy, 12th season
Returning lettermen: Three
Top golfers: Ty Klabacka (Jr.), Connor Malone (Sr.), Ryan Rood (Sr.)
Outlook: Traditionally one of the Sunrise Region’s top teams, the Gators will have some new faces this year with only three lettermen returning.
“We look to compete for a division championship,” Murphy said.
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LAS VEGAS
Head coach: Art Plunkett, sixth season
Top golfers: Mitchell Butcher (Sr.)
Outlook: The Wildcats lost five seniors to graduation.
Butcher, who carries an 18 handicap, will be asked to lead a young team.
“It will be a year of rebuilding with six new faces on the team,” Plunkett said.
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LIBERTY
Head coach: Kih Gourrier, fourth season
Returning lettermen: Six
Top golfers: Jayrick Cadelina (Sr.), Patrick Dao (Jr.)
Outlook: Cadelina qualified for the Division I state meet last year. Dao was a Sunrise Region qualifier.
“We’re looking to defend our league title and qualify multiple players for state,” Gourrier said.
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MOUNTAIN VIEW
Head coach: Aaron Horita, fifth season
Returning lettermen: Two
Top golfers: Ben Siebert (Sr.), Nathan Hall (Sr.)
Outlook: Siebert and Hall both are hoping for big seasons for the Saints, who are focused on individual improvement.
“We are looking to qualify both golfers for regionals and at least one to make state,” Horita said.
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PAHRUMP VALLEY
Head coach: Bob Hopkins, 14th season
Returning lettermen: Six
Top golfers: Austen Ancell (Jr.), Derrek Moore (Sr.), Drake Asuncion (Sr.), Kelby Lindberg (Sr.), Canen Hastings (Sr.), Mike Hildebrand (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trojans bring back their top six golfers, who teamed to finish fourth in the Division I-A state meet last year.
Ancell, who averaged 77 strokes per round, is the defending I-A state champion.
“Everyone is back from last season,” Hopkins said. “We’re hoping to improve our fourth-place finish at state.”
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PALO VERDE
Head coach: Todd Steffenhagen, fifth season
Returning lettermen: Six
Top golfers: Jack Trent (Jr.), Joe Ender (Sr.), Cameron Meeks (Jr.), Jett Isoda (Jr.), Cameron Barzekoff (So.)
Outlook: Trent is the defending Division I state champion and is joined by a talented group of returnees and newcomers, including Ender who has signed a national letter of intent to play at Lehigh.
“With a talented and deep roster, Palo Verde expects to contend for both region and state championships,” Steffenhagen said.
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SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Steven Huesch, ninth season
Returning lettermen: Four
Top golfers: Tanner Johnson (Sr.), Mitchell Stark (Jr.), Noah Valentine (Jr.), Bryce Huesch (So.)
Outlook: The Mustangs return only four lettermen this season.
“We are still a young team and a little short-handed this year with only four starters,” Steven Huesch said. “I am optimistic that all four starters will make it to the region tournament.”
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SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Steve Jacobson, eighth season
Top golfers: Austin Coate (Jr.)
Outlook: Coate qualified for the Division I-A state meet last year, and Jacobson said the junior is “on track to do the same this year.”
Jacobson also praised sophomore Ryan Handley.
“He has been practicing very hard, putting a lot of time in on the golf course this offseason and is trying to qualify for state this year,” Jacobson said. “I think he has a very good chance.”
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TECH
Head coach: David Shelton, fourth season
Returning lettermen: Six
Top golfers: Deylin Lees (So.), Matt Perry (Sr.), Nick Zito (Sr.), Jacob Read (So.), Aaron Ducker (Sr.), Austin Chavez (Sr.)
Outlook: The Roadrunners bring back six lettermen and could have one of the deeper squads in the Sunrise League.
“The team is focused on working hard and trying to qualify for the region championship as a team,” Shelton said.
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VALLEY
Head coach: Steven Flasza, fourth season
Returning lettermen: Two
Top golfers: Michael Frias (So.), Franz Augustin (So.), Chris Kuhlemeier (So.), Elijah Wion (So.), Arron-Michael Pendelton (Fr.)
Outlook: The Vikings are young, with four sophomores expected to be among the top players.
“The team consists of primarily newer players,” Flasza said. “We are looking forward to making some major individual improvements throughout the season.”
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WESTERN
Head coach: Susanne Bohen, fourth season
Returning lettermen: One
Top golfers: Jared Smith (Fr.), Patrick Tasanaroungrong (Fr.)
Outlook: The Warriors bring back just one letterman after graduating Raymond Falkenstein and Calvin Crittenden, who both finished in the top 15 in the Southern Region meet.
“I was a little concerned before the season started because my two best golfers graduated last year,” Bohen said. “But I am very excited with the arrivals of Jared and Patrick. Both are freshmen that have quickly impressed me with their talent.
“I am also optimistic that I will be able to compete with a full team for all of our matches this season.
