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ALL-COUNTY BOYS GOLF TEAM 2024
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zuxu Wu, Anaheim Discovery Christian, Senior
Anaheim Discovery Christian’s Zuxu Wu was playing the best golf of his career when his coach considered a spiritual calling.
Coach Victor Chayasirisobhon, also the school’s principal and pastor, wanted to baptize Wu but wondered if the full-immersion ceremony would distract the senior from his postseason goals. The Southern Baptist pastor remained steadfast.
“To us,” he said of baptism, “that is the biggest victory of all.”
Wu was baptized in early May and continued to play not only his best, but better than any golfer in Orange County.
The native of Haikou, China was the only county golfer to advance to the CIF State championships.
Wu capped a breakout season by shooting an even-par 71 to tie for 11th at the state finals at San Gabriel Country Club.
He qualified for state by surviving a playoff to tie for ninth at the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional with a 4-under-par 70 at Los Serranos Golf Club.
The Academy League champion also posted top 10-finishes at the CIF-SS individual championships (tied for eighth) and Southern regional (tied for fifth).
“I was very happy to finish in this way,” Wu said during an interview on Zoom from China. “I played four solid rounds in CIF against the best players in California.”
“I just tried to play my best golf,” he added. “I was very lucky to survive (as the last O.C. golfer competing).”
Wu attributed his success to several factors.
The Magi team captain improved his strength training, preparation for rounds and driving accuracy off the tee.
Wu said he also benefited from the support of his parents Nanjiao and Pian, coaches, teammates and teachers.
He has attended Anaheim Discovery Christian since the eighth grade.
Wu didn’t speak English at the time but his growth included learning the language and becoming baptized.
“It was great,” he said of his baptism. “After that, I feel like my past got washed away and (that I’m) having a new life. I’m looking forward to the new chapter of my life.”
Wu’s goal is to play collegiate golf in the United States after taking a gap year.
Chayasirisobhon saw a difference in his protege after the baptism.
“He was playing for a higher purpose,” he said.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Darren Kelso, Orange Lutheran
Orange Lutheran’s boys golf team showed its determination in capturing a section title and reaching the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional after finishing third in the Trinity League. But that wasn’t the only quality the Lancers had going for them this spring.
The squad also followed the guidance of coach Darren Kelso to execute the mental and team facets of the game.
The combination of traits led to a historic season, and the selection of Kelso as The Register’s Orange County boys golf coach of the year.
Orange Lutheran boys golf coach Darren Kelso, pictured after the Lancers won the CIF-SS Division 3 title, in The Register’s Orange County boys golf coach of the year. (Courtesy of Darren Kelso)
Orange Lutheran claimed Division 3 for its first CIF-SS team title and advanced to the regional for the first time.
“Players get the credit,” Kelso said. “I do stress the mental aspect of golf. I tell them every time they hit a shot, it’s a shot on the team score. So make the right decision on each shot and don’t be selfish.
“This year we were very deep,” the sixth-year coach added. “I stressed that each player could pick up another player if they had a bad day.”
Orange Lutheran showed that unity in becoming the lone Orange County team to reach the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional.
At the qualifier at Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course, the Lancers had four players shoot better than the 3-over-par 75 carded by one of their top players, senior Cooper Nelson.
The four players were junior Nick Davis (68), freshman Junlin Pan (71), junior John Karges (72) and senior Johnny Rasmussen (74).
Nelson displayed his fight by rallying from being 6-over-par after seven holes.
The Lancers’ postseason ended with a seventh-place finish at the regional but the team certainly left a legacy at Orange Lutheran.
“Golf is a tough sport,” Kelso said. “They did a great job of putting behind and forgetting bad days, bad holes and even bad shots.”
ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM
Zuxu Wu, Anaheim Discovery Christian, Sr.
Orange County Player of the Year
Ethan Block, Tesoro, Jr.
Block placed third in the South Coast League before advancing to the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional. He carded a 1-over-par 75 to finish just behind the county’s second-highest finishing group at the regional.
Nick Fry, Dana Hills, Sr.
The Cal State Northridge commit overcame an ankle injury to earn South Coast League co-MVP, tie for fourth at the CIF-SS individual championships and qualify for the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional.
Caleb Kim, Sunny Hills, Jr.
The Long Beach State commit shot a 1-under-par 73 to tie for 29th and join the county’s second-highest finishing group at the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional. The Freeway League runner-up carded a 1-under-par 71 to tie for 18th at the CIF-SS individual championships.
Troy Kwon, Sunny Hills, So.
Kwon showcased his steady play by tying for 29th at the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional with a 1-under-par 73. He posted a 1-over-par 73 at the CIF-SS individual championships.
Shawn Nawata, Irvine, So.
The Pacific Coast League co-MVP carded a 1-under-par 73 to tie for 29th at the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional. He shot a 1-under-par 71 to tie for 18th at the CIF-SS individual championships.
Lance Nguyen, Huntington Beach, Jr.
The Surf League champion pushed for a berth in the state tournament by tying for 29th with a 1-under-par 73 at the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional. He carded a 1-under-par to claim the 36-hole Surf League championship.
Bradley Smolinski, San Juan Hills, Sr.
The Oregon State signee shot a 66 on the second day of the South Coast League individual finals to win the league and earn co-MVP. He tied for fourth at the CIF-SS individual championships and qualified for the CIF-SCGA SoCal regional.
ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM
Ronin Banerjee, Northwood, Fr.
Cameron Danz, St. Margaret’s, Sr.
Nick Davis, Orange Lutheran, Jr.
Parker Deutschman, Mission Viejo, So.
Mattias Morris, Canyon, Sr.
Tyler Richardson, Newport Harbor, Jr.
Will Tanaka, Foothill, Sr.
Note: Postseason performance is the primary factor in the selection of the All-County boys golf team.
Related Articles
Anaheim Discovery Christian’s Zuxu Wu places 11th at CIF State boys golf championship
Anaheim Discovery Christian’s Zuxu Wu qualifies for CIF State boys golf championships
Orange Lutheran boys golf advances to CIF/SCGA SoCal Regional for the first time
Orange Lutheran boys golf edges Portola to win CIF-SS Division 3 title
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