Lightning ready to strike on par

Bryce Alderton

Sage Hill School boys golf coach Erik Gnagy said he has his strongest

team in three years at the helm and thinks they can make a run at a

CIF playoff spot

The Lightning feature five returners, including four-year varsity

member Alex Cochran. He is joined by juniors Jeff Cruttenden and John

Neff along with sophomores Josh Chen and Ryan Schweitzer.

Chen led the Lightning with a 41 average for nine holes a year

ago.

Freshmen Geoffrey Grant and Ryan Babush, along with senior

transfer Rob Greenfield, give the Lightning added firepower.

Gnagy was particularly impressed Grant and Chen’s play during

tryouts and preseason practices, held at Strawberry Farms Golf Club

in Irvine, the Lightning’s home course.

“They might battle for the one and two spots,” Gnagy said. “They

are both good ball strikers. Josh has a good short game.”

Gnagy expects St. Margaret’s to take the top spot in the Academy

League with Sage Hill and Fairmont battling for second.

“I think we will contend for a CIF [playoff] spot,” Gnagy said.

Players have honed their swings during practice by using a

resistance-training device, one made of surgical tubing that

resembles a golf club.

“It has a golf grip on it. You place it under the foot, get into

the golf stance and make the golf swing,” Gnagy said. “It promotes

good form.”

Gnagy used the training device with the girls team in the fall.

Players have given it satisfactory reviews, he said.

Sage Hill opened its season with a nonleague match Monday against

Irvine at Strawberry Farms.

“I am excited about the season,” Gnagy said. “If they dedicate

themselves to meeting that goal, they can finish in the top three in

league.”