Aragon golf dominating on the course

“If you’re (shooting a team score) of 200, you’re doing well,” said Aragon head coach Guy Oling. “When we have matches, I don’t want to go for the moon, but I’ll say, ‘Let’s shoot for 200.’ If they go 190, that’s spectacular.”

Tuesday, the Dons were one better. With Wang, Higaki and Ethan Martin all shooting even-par 36s, Aragon topped Menlo-Atherton 189-237 at Poplar Creek Golf Course in San Mateo to improve to 6-0 in the Bay Division.

Isaiah Lott carded a 4-over 40 for Aragon Tuesday, while Alex Kao finished with a 41. Sixth man Noah Feinberg’s 6-over 42 would have been good for second if playing for the M-A squad, which was led by Matt Rudd’s 41.

Wang is showing improvement over a freshman season that saw him finish second, in a playoff, at the Central Coast Section finals last spring. He was one of three golfers to shoot a final round of 70.

Last week, Wang finished third in the prestigious Wildcat Golf Tournament hosted by Marin Catholic at Meadow Club.

“He came [into high school] a good player and he’s become focused,” Oling said. “He understand the importance of team golf.”

Wang has traded off leading the Dons with junior Sam Higaki, who led Aragon to a pair of wins at Peninsula and Crystal Springs Golf Course last week, as well.

But its three seniors Oling credits with giving the Dons the depth to challenge for the PAL and CCS team titles. Alex Kao, Isaiah Lott and Ethan Martin are all four-year players for the Dons. Without their contributions, the Dons are simply two good players. What they may lack in talent, they make up with maturity and leadership.

In high school golf, two players from each team play in foursomes. Oling said he won’t always just send out his top two players in the first group, his next best twosome in the next group and so on. Sometimes he’ll pair golfers who will can work well together or help provide a mental edge.

“Sometimes (the twosomes are based) on how teammates can work with each other or help each other,” Oling said.

Kao, Lott and Martin are not two-bit players. All three would be top players on many other teams in the PAL. Against Sequoia Monday, Martin finished with a 3-over 38, Kao came in with a 5-over 40 and Lott a 9-over 44 — bogey golf.

“Both Alex and Ethan have been consistent and are good players,” Oling said. “Isaiah has been also, but at this point, he’s the most improved.”

Those are the consistent five in the Aragon rotation but, in high school golf, six players post scores, with the highest score thrown out. For many teams, this spot is usually filled by a player with little golf experience.

Aragon’s depth is such that Oling has a rotation of three players in that No. 6 spot: Monday, it was Kwintin Araghi, who shot a 49. Tuesday, it was Feinberg’s 42. The other golfer in the rotation is Leo Bartlett.

“The sixth man has come into play a couple of times in our matches,” Oling said. “If you’re 3, 4, 5 (golfer) has a higher score, we need that sixth. … In a close match, it could be the difference.”