Hopefully, the EC men’s golf team will not be shouting this four-letter word at all this season.
With a good mix of returning players and some solid newcomers, the Warriors hope to improve on last year’s second place point total finish.
The Warriors are led by returning players Daniel Turner, Dusty Stumpp, and Andy Greene.
Turner and Stumpp finished 1-2 in the standings for the Warriors all season and make the players around them better, says coach Terry Titus. Titus says that the two players are a very valuable part of the men’s golf team.
This makes for very competitive practices which will help us down the road be a better team.” Titus said.
The Warriors will also look to newcomers Brian Naefke, Wilton Garra and Benjamin Arraga to help Warriors’ get the necessary wins for a conference title.
“For all the time that we put in to this game, we expect to be successful. So everytime we step onto a course we expect to come in first,” said Titus. That is the attitude that these newcomers need to have so that we can get that conference title for our sophomores.”
Stumpp, who was out last year with a back injury, has battled back from a long recovery period to be the emotional leader of the team. He serves as a challenge for the team’s best golfer, Turner.
“Playing with Dan makes you a better golfer. I had been away for so long that when I came back, my game was a little rusty.” Stumpp said “Dan took me aside and said I should just have fun and enjoy the game. Since that time I have been on fire, nipping at his heels. I think the competition helps to make every one around us better.”
Turner who has finished first for the Warriors in every tournament so far, is the bar that every other player on the team shoots for, the standard they strive toward.
” He is the catalyst for our team; he has an uncanny knack. Whenever he needs to make a big shot he seems to make one,” Titus said.
Currently the Warriors are in third place in the total standings trailing Mt. SAC by two points and first place Long Beach City College by seven points.
With two tournament matches this week, the Warriors look to cut into Long Beach’s lead and take over second place.
Yesterday the Warriors traveled to Recreation Park for a conference tournament match. Scores were unavailable at press time.
Tomorrow the Warriors’ will travel to Victoria Park for another conference tournament and a chance first place.
“I think if we all play together there is no reason why we can’t be in first place by the end of this week,” Turner said.
