Golf heads into postseason, reflecting on past and future of commitment

With Samo’s 203-237 victory against Culver City High School on April 10 the boys’ golf team continued to advance in the standings being 6-3, and 3-3 in Ocean League. Their patch of success has caused several players to examine their futures in golf and for many, college play looms.​According to team members and brothers Jose and Alex Sepulveda (’13), they both became interested in golf through their parents.“I have been golfing for about ten years now, but I began seriously working on my game about five years ago,” Jose Sepulveda said. “Both my dad and grandfather played golf when I was little, so I would go out with them. I grew to like it and continued to play.”Unique to his brother, Alex Sepulveda also saw the entrepreneurial advantages of the sport.“[Golf] is a great sport to know how to play especially if you are planning on going into a business career later in life,” Alex Sepulveda said.According to team captain and eight-year golf veteran Ryan Hicks (’15), his inspiration came via arguably the most well-known golfer in the world, Tiger Woods.“I was inspired to play because of watching Tiger Woods on TV,” Hicks said. “I started golfing when I was eight years old, and have been golfing competitively for four years now.”According to Hicks, although he is an underclassman, he is seriously considering pursuing golf at the college level.“I want to play in a Division I program and stay in Calif.,” Hicks said.Likewise, team member Vito Sipila (’13), hopes to continue golfing after his time at Samo.“I am planning to try out for the [golf] team at UCLA in the summer,” Sipila said. “[To prepare] I have been playing in the school matches and tournaments, but plan to practice a lot over the summer. UCLA recruits most of their players, so the tryout will probably include a lot of players trying for a few spots. I am happy to have a chance.”While the team will not advance any further in CIF, Sipila will continue in the individuals bracket.Adam KummerStaff Writerakummer@thesamohi.com