Taft Golf Coach Leaves Hospital Two Weeks After Heart Attack

Taft High golf Coach Ray O’Connor, who led the team to the City Section title last season, was released from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Woodland Hills on Tuesday after suffering a mild heart attack March 10.

O’Connor, 58, said he felt minor chest pain while playing at Knollwood Golf Course in Granada Hills on March 9. The pain intensified the next morning as he drove to school.

“I took a breath and it felt like a blast of cold air,” he said. “I knew something wasn’t right.”

O’Connor immediately drove to the hospital, where he suffered the attack and remained for the next 10 days for observation and testing. He said he expects to return to school and coaching later this week.

O’Connor, who has taught at the school since it opened in 1960, also has coached football and baseball. Last season was his first as golf coach.

Taft, 6-0 in dual meets in the City 5-A League, is favored to repeat as City champion. Taft’s City title last season was its sixth.