Sostak displays sweet swing for Eagles

Marcus Sostak has been a standout golfer ever since he joined the Estancia High boys’ varsity golf team, so it’s no wonder he opened his senior season with a bang.

Sostak shot under par in Estancia’s first three matches of the season ? all nonleague wins.

In the team’s season opener, Sostak shot a one-under-par 34 as Estancia defeated Long Beach Millikan, 185-216, at Mesa Verde Country Club. It turns out, Sostak was just warming up.

The next day, he shot a two-under-par 34 at El Dorado Golf Course in Estancia’s 196-220 win over Millikan, earning medalist honors.

Sostak closed out the week by shooting a one-under-par 35 at Mesa Verde Country Club in Estancia’s 205-219 victory over Woodbridge, again earning medalist honors.

Sostak has honed his golf game under the tutelage of teaching professional Tom Sargent of the Mesa Verde Country Club. Sargent, a former San Diego State baseball player, is a three-time Southern California PGA Teacher of the Year and a PGA of America Hall of Famer.

Sostak’s skill and determination combined with Sargent’s direction has proved to be a lethal arrangement.

“He hits the ball a long way and has a great short game,” Estancia Coach Art Perry said. “His drive is well over 300 yards and straight. He’s probably one of the top 10 players in Orange County.”

Sostak has been on the Estancia varsity golf team since his freshman year. As a freshman, he took second place in the Golden West League finals. Sostak won the Golden West League championship the last two years, when he also was named the Golden West League’s Player of the Year.

Perry said he’s not surprised Sostak shot under par in three straight matches to open the year.

“I predict he’ll be under par for the whole season,” Sostak said. “He’s a hard worker. He’s the hardest worker I’ve had in a long time. He’s probably golfing right now.”

Sostak shot a one-over par 37 in Estancia’s first loss of the season, a 202-205 loss to Newport Harbor on Tuesday at Mesa Verde Country Club. He still shared medalist honors with Newport Harbor’s Bryce Greely.

Sostak is three-under-par so far this season and said that he plans to stay even or under par for the entire year.

“My short game has gotten a lot better,” Sostak said. “I’ve improved my putting and chipping.”

It’s clear that at this rate, with his all-around game, if Sostak doesn’t shoot under par in most of his matches, he’ll be close to it.

Sostak’s goals are to go all the way to the CIF state finals in Santa Maria this season, and then continue his golf career at the collegiate level. He said Oklahoma State, UC Irvine and UNLV are possibilities.

“I just want to make it to state and see how far I can go,” Sostak said. “Then hopefully I’ll get a golf scholarship for college.”

The Marcus Sostak File

Hometown: Costa Mesa

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 190

Sport: Golf

Position: No. 1 golfer

Coach: Art Perry

Favorite food: Mexican food (Fajitas)

Favorite movie: “Titanic”

Favorite athletic moment: “Taking the lead in the Rancho Bernardo Inn Tournament.”

Week in review: Sostak was under par in Estancia’s first three matches of the season, all nonleague wins. He shot a one-under par 35 in Estancia’s 205-219 win over Woodbridge, and went two-under par 34 and a one-under par 34 in two wins over Long Beach Millikan.dpt-athlete10.IMGGraphicInfo5S1OQ6N7200603105S1OQ6N7No Captiondpt.10-aow-C.1PhotoInfoBA1OQ13T20060310ivw3i0knLINDA NGUYEN / DAILY PILOT(LA)