OCC on a unifying ship

Bryce Alderton

Golf is often labeled an individualized sport, but the Orange Coast

College men’s golf team wants to dispel that stereotype while forging

ahead this spring..

The strength of the Pirates, 3-1 as of Tuesday, lies in “unity,”

said Coach Barry Wallace, who is in his seventh year guiding the

squad.

“They are all solid guys who are concerned about the team and what

each is doing,” Wallace said. “We realize that whatever the score, we

gave the best we could that day. That is all we can ask for.”

Sophomore Shaun Vickers, chosen team captain, is Coast’s lone

returner from a team that finished fourth at the year-end Orange

Empire Conference tournament and qualified for the Southern

California regionals.

“We chose him because of his good leadership,” Wallace said. “Kids

can talk to him freely and he is a hard-working player.”

Wallace is very optimistic with the incoming corps that includes

former Estancia High golfers Jason Cassidy and Peter Baker.

Cassidy won the Golden West League individual crown as a senior

last spring while leading the Eagles to the league title.

“He is a student of the game and brings a really good team

attitude,” Wallace said. “He is a guy who is concerned about his

teammates and how they are doing.” Cassidy, who lives in Costa Mesa,

transferred from Saddleback between the fall and spring semesters.

“He wasn’t happy making the long drive when he could get the same

education across the street,” Wallace said.

Baker, a sophomore, captained Estancia’s 2002 team and qualified

for the CIF Southern Section divisionals.

Wallace also expects solid play out of sophomores Josh Dean

(Edison) and Chad St. John (Santa Margarita), along with freshmen

Alex Dugger (Ocean View) and Joo Namkoong (University).

“I think we should finish in the upper half of the conference this

year,” Wallace said.

The Bucs go on the road for two matches (Monday against El Camino

and Friday against Mt. San Jacinto) before returning to conference

play March 8 at Cuyamaca.