On Par 4 at the Wilson & Harding Golf Course, senior Benjamin Suh adjusted his grip, took a deep breath and looked down the fairway. His time was running out, but there was no one there to watch.
This story is just a snapshot of what the boys golf team season has been like for almost eight years: a team defined by passion and joy, yet played almost entierly out of sight.
The Wolves recently concluded their CIF Los Angeles City Section season without securing a spot in the playoffs. They compete in a program that has long existed in the shadow of more popular sports like football.
The team is coached by Dean of Students Brian Acosta who also runs the girls golf program in the fall. The six-student varsity roster played their home matches this year at Griffith Park.
The season was a mix of tough losses and individual progress.
“This season was tiring,” Co-Captain Suh said. “Carrying around a 30 pound bag walking miles every week is a struggle, but it’s rewarding.”
Despite the hardships the team faced this season, they pulled through.
“All of our players did well,” Acosta said. “We still need to sharpen their skills from swinging, hand placement to their mental game.”
On the course, the swish of grass is often the only sound to follow a swing. For many players, the lack of a crowd is simply part of the game.
“I’ve been playing for 2 years now, I got introduced to golf one summer in Georgia with my dad,” freshman player Jayden Navarro said. “Now I play for the golf team at Van Nuys. I still visit Georgia during summer and play there too.”
Even with the passion that the players possess for the sport, no one is there to support the golf team.
“If we don’t get our numbers up, I’m concerned that we’re going to lose our golf program,” Athletic Director, Mr. Dion Coley said. “When I first got here we had both a boys and girl team, we haven’t had a girls team in the past few years and now this year we just made the bare minimum to form a boys team of five.”
Despite Coley’s hopes, things aren’t looking up for the team this year.
“Our team ended with a strong finish, sadly it wasn’t enough to reach a spot in the playoffs,” Acosta said.
After his first swing, Suh picked up his bag and walked towards the landing. Preparing for his second shot with no crowd, no cheers, just his club.
