SOUTHERN SECTION TEAM GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP : Calvert, Playing in Pain, Leads Estancia to the Title

Ken Calvert, Estancia High School’s top golfer, said he was sick.

“My head, my ears, my throat . . .,” he said, running down the symptoms. “I didn’t want to play. I felt the same the whole way through.”

It didn’t seem to hurt his golf game, however. Calvert, a senior, shot two-under-par 70 to lead Estancia to its second consecutive Southern Section team golf championship Monday at Canyon Country Club.

The Eagles defeated runner-up Dana Hills, 371-389. Westlake was third (394) and Palm Desert fourth (396).

The top four teams advance to the CIF-Southern California Golf Assn. tournament June 11 at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana.

In addition to Calvert’s 70, Estancia’s Austin Maki finished at 72, Paul Hinkle and Chris Beck at 76, Andy Rothman at 77 and Mike Anderson 78.

“They were very incredible,” Dana Hills Coach Harlan Chambers said.

A 74 by Scott Richardson brought the Dolphins close, but the margin was still a startling 18 strokes.

“The secret,” Estancia Coach Art Perry said, “was depth.”

Estancia has 27 golfers in its program, so competition for the traveling squad is as fierce as any tournament.

“We have 10 quality varsity players,” Perry said. “Any one of the 10 can step in and do the job.”

The six Estancia brought to Palm Springs certainly proved capable.

“I couldn’t believe the scores we had,” Calvert said. “Everybody played great.”

Charlie Wi of Westlake, who was in the foursome with Calvert, shot a 69 to lead the field.

Wi and Calvert figure to be among the favorites at the Southern Section individual tournament Monday at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.