Into the swing of things

Mike Sciacca

There is a new look to the boys’ golf program at Laguna Beach High

School in 2004.

Not only did several starters from last year’s team graduate, but

gone, too, is Jerry Martinez, who coached both the Laguna boys and

girls teams the past few years.

Taking over for Martinez is Scott Finn.

Finn, who teaches coed physical education at Thurston Middle

School, is no stranger to Laguna Beach High athletics: he’s the head

coach of the Breakers’ surf team.

His full day begins with coaching surfing before school, teaching

at Thurston during the day, then taking on golfing duties at Laguna

after school.

“I tagged along with Jerry during the girls season in the fall and

he did a great job of preparing me for the position,” Finn said.

“Jerry is a great guy who has a positive impact on all those he is

around.

“Following him around has allowed for a smooth transition, because

he ran a great program.”

With several of last year’s starters having graduated in June,

team vacancies gave a “whole new crop of guys a chance to shine and

represent our varsity squad,” Finn said.

Finn held a tryout for golfers, which consisted of a few days at

the range, followed by a few rounds on the golf course.

“Several of the seniors scored really well throughout the tryout

and at the same time, a few of the freshmen, sophomores and juniors

were impressive,” Finn said. “There is a lot of anticipation among

the guys to go out and shoot low scores.”

Six seniors can be found among the eight-member varsity team.

The seniors are Stephen Colletti, Jonathan Bernard, David Roh,

Neal Hruby, Chad McLean and Shane Curran.

Rounding out the squad is junior Chris Blesius and sophomore Chris

Casalaspi.

Hruby is a transfer who moved from Chicago and Roh, who attended

Laguna Beach High his first two years, transferred back to the school

after attending Aliso Niguel his junior year.

“Neal has a great appreciation for the game of golf and is always

reminding the team of how fortunate we are to be able to golf in this

great climate at this time of the year,” Finn said of Hruby.

“We are very excited to have received both of these golfers. You

could say they were great, unexpected surprises. Their presence

provides for a great atmosphere, along with experienced leadership.”

When Finn became head coach, he “brought on” Rob Reinhorn as

Laguna’s junior varsity coach.

“He came very highly recommended through many experienced golfers

and Laguna Beach community members,” Finn said. “Rob has built a

great reputation for himself, serving as a golf instructor at Ben

Browns. He has a heart for kids and a passion for golf. I am very

excited to have him working with our JV team, which consists of about

10 freshmen and sophomores.”

Laguna, which holds home matches at Aliso Viejo Golf Course, will

compete this season against nationally ranked amateur golfers from a

“variety of solid golf programs,” Finn said.

“As a coach, I have communicated my expectation of maturity,

effort and goal-setting,” Finn said. “All these characteristics

directly influence personal management, proper practice and

self-confidence.

“Each individual on the varsity squad has communicated their

personal golf goals, and what improvements are needed in order to

reach those goals. Many of the players’ goals include course

management, short game, long game and proper practice. I believe that

if each player strives to achieve his own personal golf goals

throughout the season, that this will formulate into a meaningful and

successful season.”

The Breakers return to the Aliso Viejo Golf Course Monday to take

on Aliso Niguel.

Their first Pacific Coast League match on March 24 finds them

hosting Corona del Mar.

“The league race is going to be very competitive and it is going

to take a concentrated effort on behalf of all our players, in order

to have success,” Finn added. “I know that effort creates success and

if we can communicate and demonstrate high levels of effort in an

attempt to meet our goals, success will follow.”