Camarillo golfers keep playoff streak intact
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers OUT ON THE RANGE- Justin Merrick, 16, of Camarillo High hits a few balls at Camarillo Springs.

They may not have been the greatest golf team to ever hit the links for Camarillo High, but they still got the job done.

Despite not having a golfer that averaged a score in the 70s this season, the Scorpion boys' squad kept their postseason streak alive at 15 years. ACHS finished the regular season tied for second place in the Pacific View League with Rio Mesa.

Although the Scorpions' season is now finished after ACHS failed to advance at the CIFSouthern Section Team Divisionals Monday at Arroyo Grande, head coach Bob Dowden said he loved coaching the group.

"This year's team was younger and not as experienced as some teams I've had in the past, but they are all still committed towards playing better, especially for next season," Dowden said. "Still, it was fun to see them grow this year, and it was a joy to see their golf games improve. More importantly, it was great to see them grow as people."

The team was led by two seniors, Mark Kane and Erik Narchi. ACHS is in good hands for next season as they will be returning four starters. The returnees are juniors Pat Toener and Mike Usuki, as well as sophomores Justin Merrick, Richie Gano and Kyle Leonhardt.

Leonhardt led the team with an average of 82.4, while Merrick, Usuki and Toener all averaged an 85.

Merrick said he saw major improvements with his skill set in 2007, especially with his short game

"I practice a lot at the Las Posas Country Club, and this year I spent a lot of time on my chipping," Merrick said. "I wasn't that good of a player as a freshman, so I needed to practice a lot. The chipping helped me on my short game this year, and I think a year of experience helped me improve as well."

Although Merrick has been playing golf for nine years, he said in order for the team to improve next season, more players will have to practice year-round.

"We probably need more of our golfers to play more tournaments," Merrick said. "If they play more tournaments, they can gain more confidence, so when they make it far into the postseason next year for us they will already know what it feels like."

ACHS certainly knows what it feels like to go far in the postseason, having won CIF last year.

The school has produced standout golfers such as Colin Wilcox, who graduated in 2004 and is currently at Pepperdine, and Kyle Dowden, who graduated in 2003 and is currently attending UC Berkeley.

Despite all the success in years past, Usuki said he feels no pressure from the current postseason streak.

"Last year, when we won CIF, we had one of best teams in many years here at Camarillo," Usuki said. "We should be pretty good next year by keeping four of our top guys, but as far as the postseason pressure, that's not something I really think about. I don't really feel any pressure from that."

Usuki and Merrick both said they've gained a lot of good advice from Coach Dowden this past season.

"He gives us a lot of confidence during our practices and matches," Usuki said. "He has helped me with my swing a lot, too."

Besides coaching both the boys' and girls' golf teams, Dowden is also an assistant on the boys' basketball team at Camarillo. Dowden teaches both government and history at ACHS.

"It's great when I have some of my players in my classes," Dowden said. "I think my players see me as just the coach of the golf team until they have a class of mine. Then they tend to see me as more of a teacher and an instructor of the game. It's a pleasure to coach and teach at Camarillo."