Boys golf: CdM aiming high

Richard Dunn

CORONA DEL MAR - Young, talented and getting better each time out,

members of the Corona del Mar High boys golf team are entering spring

break on a hot streak.

“We’ve got a team that can rock and roll this year,” CdM Coach Mike

Starkweather said.

The Sea Kings (7-2-1, 4-0 in the Pacific Coast League) feature four

golfers with a scoring average under 40, which means 80% of the starting

lineup would probably play No. 1 on any other team.

Corona del Mar is led by junior Nick Sherman, a regular top-10

finisher on the Junior Amateur Golf Scholars Tour. Sherman’s scoring

average (38.3) is the lowest among a group of standouts that includes

sophomore Alex Chikovani (39.1) and juniors Tim Frohling (39.7) and Brad

Chamberlin (39.9).

Chikovani and Chamberlin finished in the top five in last year’s PCL

finals and earned berths into the CIF Southern Section individual

championships.

Sophomores Colby Hackett (41.3 scoring average) and Robert Ury (42.3)

have been solid for Corona del Mar, while senior Ryan Lynch and junior

Dave Stein have earned spots as alternates and will mix in the starting

lineup on occasion.

“I’ve got some studs,” Starkweather said of his players, all of whom

return from last year’s squad that finished sixth in the CIF regional

team championships.

Corona del Mar defeated PCL favorite University March 26 on the

Trojans’ home course to give Starkweather’s Sea Kings the inside track to

the league title.

But this year the Sea Kings are aiming even higher.

“There’s only one CIF golf banner on the gym wall and that was way

back,” said Starkweather, referring to the 1967 CIF championship team led

by Danny Bibb (Big Canyon Country Club) and Mike Reehl (Director of Golf

at Santa Ana Country Club).

The Sea Kings, who play their home matches at Newport Beach Country

Club and are also supported by manufacturer Cleveland Golf, have their

best team since Starkweather took over as coach three years ago.

The school’s junior varsity team, which is also off to a hot start,

features five freshmen “who are just awesome. They’re raising the bar.

It’s fun,” Starkweather said.

After spring break, CdM will play Northwood April 9 at Rancho San

Joaquin Golf Club in Irvine. The Sea Kings are gearing up for the Pacific

Coast League Tournament (April 29-30) at Los Serranos Golf Course in

Chino Hills.

Corona del Mar roster

Nick Sherman, Jr.

Alex Chikovani, So.

Tim Frohling, Jr.

Brad Chamberlin, Jr.

Colby Hackett, So.

Robert Ury, So.

Dave Stein, Jr.

Ryan Lynch, Sr.

Coach: Mike Starkweather