From Punting to Putting : After Football Season’s Over, Valencia’s Harrison Heads for the Golf Course

In the fall, Alan Harrison of Valencia High School becomes machismo in shoulder pads .

Aggressive, courageous and tough, Harrison, a punter and a guard, shows little mercy for those in the way of Tiger touchdowns.

But as the football season ends, Harrison changes to another course. One of courtesy, patience and green plaid pants.

Harrison is Valencia’s top golfer and one of the best high school players in Orange County.

This isn’t to say he fares well only on the fairways. According to football Coach Mike Marujo, Harrison was the Tigers’ best offensive linemen last season, as well as the best punter in the Orange League. Take care, though, when asking Marujo about the golf.

“I told him he better be in good shape to walk all those long greens on the golf course,” Marujo said, facetiously. “I mean, we practice three hours a day, not including weights and films. But what do they do? Run around in slacks and plaid sweaters, hit a bucket of balls and go putt around. I wouldn’t want 90% of my team going out there--but I let them do whatever they want.”

His coach’s kidding aside, Harrison, a 6-foot 1-inch, 185-pound senior, said he enjoys both sports.

“With football, there’s a lot more excitement,” Harrison said. “You’re going at it with someone else, the crowd’s yelling, and the team is really together. But I like the individual aspect of golf. And there’s more pressure, which brings out the best in me.”

So far, the best has meant leading Valencia (7-0, 12-0) by being medalist in eight of 12 matches. He usually shoots in the upper-30s for nine holes and has been impressive with his finesse, power and sportsmanship.

“Sometimes I wonder if he’s a really a football player. Alan can be such a puppy dog,” said Harold Pike, Valencia’s No. 2 golfer. “Then at other times you wouldn’t want to mess with him. Like when he’s had a bad round or something. Then it’s obvious he’s a football player. He kind of grumbles.”

Harrison’s love for golf began when he was 12 and accompanied his father to Willowick Golf Course in Santa Ana. He caddied for a while, but he quickly became more interested in hitting tee shots toward the fairway than lugging someone else’s bag down it.

“At first, he picked up the club and wanted to hit the ball like a baseball,” said Myrl Harrison, his father. “But after he learned, his swing became a natural. Then he wanted to go with me all the time.”

Upon entering high school, Harrison couldn’t play for the Tigers. No one could. Budget cuts led Valencia to drop the program in 1980. But after repeated requests from parents, the sport was reinstated during Harrison’s junior year.

“He used to talk about golf all the time during the season,” said Fred Jenkins, Valencia center and a friend of Harrison. “No one really said anything about it. Not until he said he was trying out for the team.”

And so came the jokes. Of eating quiche and wearing polyester. Of working really hard at just putting around. But Harrison didn’t mind, especially after he was picked as the team’s No. 1 golfer.

“I put Alan at No. 1 right away,” said Coach John Winek. “He had a very good swing--he looked like a golfer. But, you know, he was the typical lineman--the strong, silent type.”

It was his strength that put Harrison in a spotlight.

“In our first practice, Alan took out a 2-iron and put it in the water 240 yards away,” Winek said. “This year, several times he’s hit over 300 yards. Lots of coaches are telling their kids not to watch him drive (so as not to get intimidated). But Alan intimidates with his skills, not with his personality.”

Which, according to Harrison, is what attracts him to golf more and more.

“I like football, but I don’t go wild,” he said. “I’m not a gorilla like the defensive line. I’ve always liked golf--you use your head for thinking, not bashing.”

Harrison’s football friends rarely tease him anymore. Not since his name has become a standard in the school paper.

“People come up to Alan now and say, ‘Nice game,’ or ‘Wow, you were below par,’ ” Jenkins said. “Lots of people at school follow his results. They’re more interested in the sport now. He’s respected a lot. I mean, when I think of Al Harrison, I think of a golfer and a football player--and both of them are great athletes.”