Monterey Boys Golf Competing Against Themselves

The Monterey High golf team is off to a hot start with the boys winning eight matches to only one loss, but coaches Ray Lee and John Looper said their team has not played its best golf yet.

Last season the boys team went a perfect 20-0 in their regular season matches and so far in 2024 that momentum has carried on. With only the top four scores counting towards matches and with seven boy golfers, Lee and Looper have found a way for their golfers to compete for those starting four slots.

“All the matches that we can, we try to involve all seven of our golfers,” Lee said. “And within that match, we have a match amongst them. You know, if they shoot a lower score than say the one through five, if a six or seven does that, then they got the opportunity to get bumped up the next match.”

The coaches said that this system instills a friendly competition within their team and keeps their golfers working on their games. Lee said the team has reaped the rewards of senior Garrett Wessles play so far in the season.

“He’s played really well,” Lee said. “Not to take anything away from Landon Raines, he’s got all the ability in the world, but Garrett has kind of ran away with it early on anyway. There’s a lot of season left.”

Though head coach Ray Lee won’t speak on the matter, his son, Braden Lee is playing up as an eighth grader and is exceeding early expectations.

“Eighth grader Braden Lee, the last couple of matches he’s put together two really good solid rounds,” Looper said. “And that’s Ray’s son, because he’s not going to brag on him, but I will.”

Lee and Looper both agreed that Braden was ready for a step up in competition and the Wildcat’s have used his scores in the last two matches.

With help from both senior leaders and fresh face middle schoolers, Looper said the team has its eyes set on the state title.

“I really do believe that with the boys, that anything less than state tournament appearance, I think that would be a disappointment,” Looper said.