Prominent Westlake Coach to Take Leave of Absence : Golf: Lorin Maygren led Warriors to two Southern Section titles and three other top-five finishes.

Lorin Maygren, who coached the Westlake High golf team to five top-five finishes in the past six seasons of Southern Section competition, will take a leave of absence for the 1990-91 school year and might not return.

Maygren, a physical education teacher who has coached the team since Westlake opened in 1978, left to pursue a job in the private sector.

Under Maygren, 43, Westlake was indisputably the region’s most consistent producer of golf talent. In his 12 seasons as coach, nine boys and three girls earned scholarships to Division I schools.

Westlake won Southern Section titles in 1986 and 1987 and placed in the top five in 1985, 1988 and 1990. The Warriors won six consecutive Marmonte League titles from 1983-88.

“I’m going to miss it a lot,” he said. “Especially some of the players.”

Past standouts from Westlake include state amateur champion Charlie Wi, a 1990 graduate who will attend Nevada Reno. Chris Zambri, a 1988 graduate who plays at USC, defeated defending champion Chris Patton in the match-play portion of the U. S. Amateur last month. Zambri is one of four Westlake graduates who have played at USC.

Maygren said he will make a final decision about returning to Westlake next summer and that the school will hold his position open until then. No replacement has been named, he said.

Maygren injured his back and neck in an auto accident last summer and has been unable to continue working at a second job. The economic loss, coupled with the time constraints of coaching, prompted him to look elsewhere.

“I thought if I was ever going to try something else, I had better do it now,” he said.

Maygren is hardly leaving the cupboard bare. Five of Westlake’s top six players are returning, including Jerry Chang, a four-year letterman.

“I guess my timing was off. You’re supposed to leave on a down note,” he said. “This team should do real well next year.”