Boys golf: Green Eagles

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - Estancia High’s boys golf coach Art Perry doesn’t like

the “team of the future” tag. At the same time, he can’t help but get

excited about his young troops.

“I’m not looking forward to the future,” he said, “but that’s how it’s

developing. We’ll be very good in the next two to three years.”

The Eagles have no seniors, but they are returning two varsity lettermen

in junior Greg Rausch and sophomore Joey Mueller. Rausch is “a pretty

strong player” according to Perry, and Mueller has a nine-hole average of

42.

But it is freshman Jason Cassidy who really has Perry excited. Cassidy is

an American Junior Golf Association player. In Estancia’s first match

against Villa Park, he was the medalist with a score of 78.

“I think he’s one of the top five players in the (Pacific Coast League),”

Perry said. “He’s been a junior player since he was 10, and he’s won some

junior tournaments.”

While young and relatively inexperienced compared to their teammates,

sophomores Nick Razo, Peter Baker and Aaron Rankel played on Estancia’s

frosh/soph team last year.

Perry gives cross-town rival Costa Mesa a slight edge to win the PCL,

with University and Corona del Mar close behind. But he also feels his

team could sneak in as the third-place team in league.

Whether the Eagles do or not, Perry will prepare them with a full

schedule of matches and tournaments.

“The only way you can develop a team is on the golf course,” he said.

Until the Eagles fulfill their potential, the future certainly appears

bright for Estancia.

Roster

Peter Baker So.

Jason Cassidy Fr.

Joey Mueller So.

Aaron Rankel So.

Greg Rausch Jr.

Nick Razo So.

Coach: Art Perry