Westlake Outmans Hart

Two golf teams, two vastly different situations.

Westlake High, blessed with an enviable overload of talent this season, showed its depth Monday with a 391-401 victory over a Hart team struggling to find some consistency.

Last time the teams met--on March 19--they tied, 326-326, in a match at Vista Valencia Golf Course that neither team played at full strength.

On Monday at Camarillo Springs Golf Course, Hart’s top three players--Ryan Wyman, Charlie Smith and Brandon Wallace--combined to shoot 229, giving the Indians a seven-stroke lead over Westlake’s top three of J.T. Kohut, Brad Burke and Ian Medlock.

But as the last three scores came in, it became evident that the deeper Warriors would come out on top.

Mike Stroube shot 78 at No. 4 for Westlake to Geoff Voelker’s 81 for Hart. Westlake freshman Brian O’Flaherty fired a 77 at No. 5 and easily defeated Jeff Siembeida, who shot 91.

“This was all about depth,” Westlake Coach Dave Costley said. “We got them with our last three guys.”

The sixth scores, 86 for Westlake’s Chris Finefrock and 91 for Hart freshman Josh Varek, were dropped in the best-five format.

Hart Coach Dennis Ford was left dumbfounded by the result.

“I need a fifth and sixth man,” Ford said. “You wouldn’t expect two guys to come out here and shoot 91. You wouldn’t expect two J.V. players to shoot 91.”

They were not the only ones who struggled.

Kohut, among the top golfers in the region, shot 78. Burke carded 81. Hart’s Smith, a touted senior, had an 80.

Players attributed the high scores to the swirling winds and the condition of the greens, which were bumpy because of recent aerating.

But Hart’s Wyman was not bothered, shooting an even-par 72 to win medalist honors by five strokes over Wallace, Medlock and O’Flaherty.

“I tried not to let the greens get to me because I knew everyone had to putt them,” said Wyman, who had three birdies.