Estancia perfect in league

While several of their classmates took up fun activities on Feb. 19, the first day of “ski week,” the Estancia High boys’ golf team went to work.

The Eagles knew they wanted to go undefeated in league for the fifth straight year, and so with this work they expected great reward. They didn’t mind playing a round at San Clemente Golf Course, the home course for Laguna Beach.

On their quest for an undefeated league season, the Eagles were aware Laguna Beach would be their toughest competition. It turns out that work paid off. Estancia defeated the Breakers, 190-199, on March 20.

Today the Eagles will attempt to improve to 44-0 and complete a fifth straight undefeated league season when they go up against Costa Mesa at Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club. They’ve already won their fifth straight league title.

Intertwining the ideals of individualism and teamwork has been key for Estancia. Stability at coach has also helped. Coach Art Perry has been at the helm of the golf program for 21 years. The Eagles won CIF Southern Section titles in 1989, ’90 and ‘91, but Perry has never had a team with a league streak like this.

Most people would think Estancia has had success because of the leagues it has played in, but then comes this assessment from Perry.

“This team has outworked all my other teams,” said Perry, who also coached football for 30 years at the school. “This has been a close-knit group. This is one of my better teams in terms of getting along with each other.”

Even when the Eagles lose, they tend to still find some sort of victory. Though they’ve had great results in league, they were pumped up by hanging with Edison, one of the top teams in Orange County. Estancia lost, 203-205, on April 16.

And, when they took a trip to Indio to compete in the Champions Invitational April 13-14, they drew closer while battling adverse weather conditions.

“We suffered the worst elements in golf,” said Pat Flannery, Estancia’s team captain. “There was rain, wind and heat and we all suffered it together. We all went through the same stuff and had to deal with the same type of shots. It was very challenging. I don’t think I have played in tougher conditions.”

Yes, team unity has been another reason for Estancia’s success this year. Losing four seniors to graduation caused the Eagles to draw closer and work harder. They knew this year they could not depend on Marcus Sostak to bail them out. He has moved on to Oregon. He finished tied for 36th at the Pac-10 Championships Tuesday.

Even though Sostak is with the Ducks, he still helps out the Eagles from time to time. During spring break, he came back and played with the Estancia golfers.

Sophomore Ryan Knapp took advantage of the opportunity and spent time with Sostak. Knapp knows he must always seek to improve, becausegreat expectations followed him this season. Last year, he advanced to the CIF Divisionals.

Players like sophomore Storm Hagen and junior Andrew Ayala have also been instrumental for the Eagles because of their continual improvement.

That, too, comes from hard work.