Young Carson golfers gear up for Sierra League opener

Carson High will field one of its youngest golf teams in recent history this spring after losing five of its top six players to graduation from a year ago.

Of the 18 players listed on the current roster, 13 are either freshmen or sophomores. Niko Brewer and Dom Mariani are the only seniors, while Garrett Gingell, Curtis Devore and Mitch Parra are the only juniors.

Gingell started most of the tournaments as a sophomore, while Brewer and Parra played a couple of tournaments according to second-year coach Terry

Gingell.

"This is a very young team in that regard," coach Gingell said. "We do have a bunch of freshmen and sophomores.

"There is definitely more instruction this year. Some of the younger kids have barely played. Some are playing very well."

Currently the top four starters are Garrett Gingell, Parra, Brewer and sophomore Collin McCulloch.

"Garrett is playing well; hitting the ball well," the Carson coach said. "From last year to this year technique-wise, Mitch has improved by leaps and bounds. He is getting his club on the correct path (to the ball). He has a great temperament. I expect him to challenge breaking 80 by the end of the year. Niko is hitting the ball straight. His swing has really improved."

Garrett Gingell has high hopes for his season.

"I've been playing every day I can," the younger Gingell said. "I've been hitting the ball well lately. I've been working with my dad on my form. "My long iron game; long pitch shots are my strengths right now. I can control the distance wherever I am on the fairway. My weakness is my short game, chipping and putting. I practice it hard. I should get up and down (if I miss the green) more often than I do."

The last two spots in the line-up are up for grabs between freshman Nathanial Brown, Mariani, sophomore Roman Smokey, sophomore Mark Lacey, junior Curtis Devore and sophomore Jacob Getz are the candidates.

"Nathan has played for a couple of years," said Terry Gingell. "Roman has a nice swing and hits a lot of nice shots."

Despite the inexperience, Gingell said his team should contend for a spot in the regional playoffs.

"We have four strong players," he said. "If one of the other two (fifth or sixth player) steps up we'll have a reasonable top five. I don't know much

about the other teams. I never really concern myself with them. I just worry about how we're playing."