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    Orange County boys golf preview: A look at the top teams, top players
    • March 8, 2025

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    A team with three Division 1 college commits. Multiple contenders from Orange County’s strongest league. And a senior-led group from the Sunset League.

    The discussion about the top O.C. boys golf team to watch this spring delivers a slew of contenders from coaches.

    And while Sunny Hills, Orange Lutheran, Santa Margarita, Servite and Huntington Beach are all in the conversation, this much is certain:

    It’s looking like anther strong season on the links.

    “I haven’t seen all the players but (the talent level) seems to be a little above average this year,” veteran Servite coach Dane Jako said.

    Here’s a look at several of the top teams in the county (listed alphabetically):

    Anaheim Discovery Christian: The Academy League power, which features Menlo College commit Qifeng Tong among others, will be interesting to track as the power-ratings guide the playoff divisions.

    Capistrano Valley: Beware of the Cougars as they transition to the South Coast League with four returners from their Sea View League championship team last season. Capistrano Valley recently shot a school-record 8-under-par 172 against El Toro at Tijeras Creek Golf Club.

    Huntington Beach: The Oilers’ early-season highlights include a third-place finish at the Ayala tournament and a nonleague split with Santa Margarita. They have a strong No. 1 in Lance Nguyen plus three other seniors. “We are solid and feel like we can play with anyone,” Oilers coach Dean Yoshiyama said.

    Northwood: The reigning Pacific Coast League champion feature the junior duo of Sage Legaspi and Kelvin Huang but watch out for Irvine and Portola in the league.

    Orange Lutheran: The Lancers captured the Servite Invitational by three strokes over Loyola on Feb. 24. Sophomore Junlin Pan shot an even-par 72 at Western Hills Country Club.

    Santa Margarita: The Eagles have depth behind senior Hudson Vedder (Central Michigan) and a major transfer. Highly-ranked sophomore Ronin Banerjee is a transfer from Northwood who will observe the sitout period, Santa Margarita coach Jim Tinker said.

    Servite: The Friars have added transfers sophomores Eamon and Eason Chen from Fairmont Prep to a squad led by junior Hanks Wang (Long Beach State).

    Sunny Hills: The Lancers feature Division 1 commits in senior Caleb Kim (Long Beach State), junior Cole Kim (UC San Diego) and junior Jonathan Jeon (Air Force). Caleb Kim shot a 5-under-par 69 as Sunny Hills captured the Ayala tournament on Feb. 24 by 17 strokes. The field included runner-up Mira Costa, Huntington Beach, Mater Dei and Santa Margarita.

    Sunny Hills’ depth also includes junior Troy Kwon, a first-team All-County selection last season.

    “Orange County is and always has shown strong competition in CIF,” Sunny Hills coach Scott Enrico said. “We just need to battle with the Palm Deserts, Loyolas and Oaks Christians of the world.”

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Ronin Banerjee, Santa Margarita, So.

    The transfer from Northwood is a member of the U.S. junior national team and the No. 5 ranked player in the nation — regardless of class — by the American Junior Golf Association.

    Ethan Block, Tesoro, Sr.

    Block surged late last season to seal first-team All-County honors.

    Mitchel Creamer, Capistrano Valley, Sr.

    The Farmingdale State College commit has the lowest reported scoring average (2-under-par) in the Southern Section through his first five rounds.

    Nick Davis, Orange Lutheran, Sr.

    Davis is committed to three-time NCAA Division II champion South Carolina Aiken.

    Parker Deutschman, Mission Viejo, Jr.

    The returning All-County selection tied for sixth at the Ayala tournament.

    Brayden Jones, Mater Dei, So.

    Jones shot a 5-under-par 69 to tie for first at the Ayala tournament.

    Caleb Kim, Sunny Hills, Sr.

    The Long Beach State commit eagled the 18th hole to tie for first at the Ayala tournament.

    Shawn Nawata, Irvine, Jr.

    The returning CIF qualifier forms a strong duo with Cooper Stearns.

    Lance Nguyen, Huntington Beach, Sr.

    The uncommitted senior has captured league individual titles the past two seasons.

    Junlin Pan, Orange Lutheran, So.

    Pan is ranked as the No. 3 sophomore in the state by the American Junior Golf Association.

    Cooper Stearns, Irvine, Sr.

    After averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds in basketball, Stearns hits the links as a Stanford signee for golf. He is the top-ranked Orange County senior by the American Junior Golf Association.

    Hanks Wang, Servite, Jr.

    The Long Beach State commit is the two-time defending Trinity League champion.

    NOTES

    Mission Viejo’s squad features football standouts Draiden Trudeau and Cash Semonza. … The CIF-SS division finals are May 19 at various sites. The CIF-SS individual championships and SCGA qualifier is May 22 at Temecula Creek Golf Club. … The SCGA-CIF SoCal Regional and state qualifier is May 29 at Los Serranos Golf Club. The CIF State championship is June 3 at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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