Top-Ranked Marina Just Warming Up

Coach Frank Ruotolo of Huntington Beach Marina High has some bad news for the rest of the Southern Section:

“I think our best golf is still ahead of us,” he said.

A scary thought considering the top-ranked Vikings (9-0) are averaging 214 this season, cleared their biggest hurdle of the year with a 212-218 Sunset League victory over No. 3 Esperanza last week, then went out and shot a season-best 205 against Fountain Valley.

But while freshman Jennifer Osborn has exceeded expectations by averaging 37.5 over nine holes and sophomore Jane Chin has settled in as a solid No. 2 player, Ruotolo said senior Lisa Sweller, the Sunset League runner-up a year ago, and senior Kelly Hunt, a transfer from Newport Harbor, have yet to hit stride.

Sweller, who is averaging 44, broke 40 for the first time this season by shooting 37 against Esperanza.

Hunt is averaging a respectable 42, but Ruotolo expects her to break 40 on a regular basis.

Ruotolo said he can foresee his team breaking 200 on a par-36 course, but refuses to make that a goal.

“There’s no doubt that we can shoot 195 or 198 based on what each player is capable of,” Ruotolo said. “But that’s not something we talk about trying to accomplish. I think that would put too much unnecessary pressure on them.”

Obey or don’t play: Southern Section Commissioner Jim Staunton informed all coaches late last month that leagues do not have the authority to override the state-mandated five--of-six scoring format, and any teams still using the three--of-four format would be ineligible for the playoffs.

The Channel League was among those still using the old format to prevent schools from having to drop girls’ golf because of a lack of players.

Home sweet home: Fourth-ranked Palm Desert, No. 8 Camarillo and No. 9 Villa Park will each play one playoff round on its home course.

The Southern team divisional will be Nov. 5 at Green River in Corona, home course for Villa Park. The Northern team divisional will be the same day at Las Posas in Camarillo, where Camarillo plays home matches.

The section finals will be Nov. 7 at Desert Willow in Palm Desert, Palm Desert’s home course. That’s assuming, of course, those teams advance that far.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1. Huntington Beach Marina (9-0, SS-Sunset)

Survived showdown with Esperanza, followed with season-best 205 against Fountain Valley.

2. Dana Hills (9-0, SS-South Coast)

Cruising in league play, defeated second-place San Clemente by 21 shots.

3. Anaheim Esperanza (8-1, SS-Sunset)

Shot 218 in loss to top-ranked Marina, followed with a 212-230 victory over Edison.

4. Palm Desert (7-0, SS-Desert Valley)

Aztecs keep getting better, shot a season-best 205 at Desert Willow.

5. Long Beach Wilson (7-0, SS-Moore)

Shot 209 in 98-stroke victory over Lakewood-second-best score of season.

6. Redondo Union (6-0, SS-Ocean)

Inconsistent scoring continues to plague Sea Hawks, but they keep winning.

7. Harvard-Westlake (5-0, SS-Mission)

Shooting 239 at Wilson was likely a hiccup in otherwise consistent season.

8. Camarillo (9-0, SS-Pacific View)

Well on the way to a fourth consecutive league title.

9. Villa Park (7-1, SS-Century)

Spartans ready for second-half surge: shot 219 Wednesday at Tustin Ranch.

10. Goleta Dos Pueblos (10-1, SS-Channel)

Sarah Trenschel leads top team in Santa Barbara County.