Laguna looks to continue winning ways

During the past four years, the Laguna Beach High girls’ golf program has reached a level of unfounded success: three Golden West League championships and 37 league victories.

The Breakers begin the 2011 season under the direction of Scott Finn, who also begins his ninth year this school year as head coach of the boys’ golf team. Finn takes over for Val Quigley, who retired as head coach of the girls’ program.

Finn has a talented and experienced cog back from last year’s co-league championship team. Senior Taylor Weiss is entering her fourth year and is a two-time all-league performer and this year’s team captain. Senior Laura Kawashiri is a three-year varsity player and senior Vivian Mendoza and sophomore all-leaguer sophomore Jackie McMahon both are two-year varsity players.

Below is a capsule look at the 2011 Breakers:

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Head coach: Scott Finn (first year)

Coaching staff: Sean Quigley

League: Golden West

2010 record: 13-2

2010 league finish: 11-1 (co-champion with Estancia)

Returning players: Taylor Weiss (first-team all-league, Sr.); Jackie McMahon (second-team all-league, Soph.); Laura Kawashiri (Sr.); Vivian Mendoza (Sr.).

Key loss: Christianne Kinder (graduated in June; was first-team all-league and only Breaker to qualify for the 2010 CIF Individuals tournament).

Coach’s outlook: “The girls are practicing hard and I look forward to seeing their effort carry into the competitive season,” Finn said. “Last year, all our players stepped it up and performed when it counted in order to capture a share of the league title. The four varsity players we have returning this year have all continued to improve and if they continue to play up to their potential, I anticipate we will make another run at the league championship.”

Link to success: Laguna has gone 37-4 in league play over the last four years and has either won or tied for a league title in three of those years. They are the only titles in the program’s history.

The schedule: Laguna will be challenged during preseason play. “We play San Clemente, Sage Hill and Aliso Niguel, which are all very solid teams,” Finn said. “It’s a great gauge for the kind of talent that is in Orange County.”

Home courses: Aliso Creek Golf Course (South Laguna Beach); Aliso Viejo Country Club.

michael.sciacca@latimes.com

Twitter: @Coastlinepilot

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2011 Schedule

Friday: vs. San Clemente

(at Talega Golf Course)

Sept. 12: vs. San Clemente

(at Ben Brown’s GC)

Sept. 14: vs. Sage Hill

(at Strawberry Farms GC)

Sept. 15: vs. Sage Hill

(at Aliso Viejo CC)

Sept. 19: vs. *Costa Mesa

(at Mesa Linda GC)

Sept. 20: vs. *Estancia

(at Aliso Viejo CC)

Sept. 27: vs. *Estancia

(at Mesa Linda GC)

Sept. 28: vs. *Costa Mesa

(at Aliso Viejo GC)

Oct. 4: vs. *Estancia

(at Ben Brown’s GC)

Oct. 5: vs. *Costa Mesa

(at Mesa Linda GC)

Oct. 10: vs. *Estancia

(at Mesa Linda GC)

Oct. 11: vs. *Costa Mesa

(at Ben Brown’s GC)

Oct. 17: League individual prelims

(at Mesa Linda GC)

Oct. 18: League individual finals

(at Los Lagos GC)

Oct. 20-21: League team finals

(at El Prado GC)

Nov. 1: CIF Individual Regionals

Nov. 4: CIF Team Championships

Nov. 8: CIF Individual Championships

Nov. 16: CIF State Championships

* denotes league match; all matches start at 2:30 p.m.