The Dos Pueblos High School boys varsity golf team starts its season with an overall record of 5-3, with the team losing matches early but bouncing back with wins against Santa Barbara High School, 218-219, and Santa Ynez High School, 408-420.

Orlando Ramirez (12) said the team matches up with opposing teams well.

“I’ve learned that our team can compete with some of the best schools in the area, and that we can all go very low,” Ramirez said. “And if we’re able to really focus and stay locked in throughout a round, we can win.”

Kevin Ahlers, the boys’ varsity golf coach, shares his perspective on the team’s current performance.

“I don’t think exactly about the wins and losses, but what the team’s scores are,” Ahlers said. “We’ve definitely noticed people losing strokes in different areas where we know we can improve.”

The team has 5 seniors who use their senior experience to rally the team together in important moments.

“I think it boosts the camaraderie,” Coulter Jay (12) said. “We’re very open, and fun to be around. I think that vibe helps us, and also we’re humble in a sense and that we know we’re not incredible players.”

Colt Roberts (12) said the team uses practices to improve course management skills and get accustomed to the physical conditions of the sport.

“Learning how to make my misses not as small, and also just walking the course a lot also helps, because you’re always gonna have to be walking,” Roberts said.

Another tactic that the team said they use to prepare for matches is simulating their intensity in practices.

“I think [to try] to build pressure, even though I’m not competing on the range,” Ramirez said. “I’ll try to pressure myself into a shot, so then I’m used to playing in that scenario and not feeling too stressed.”

Outside of golf, the team spends time together to strengthen bonds.

“We go out to eat all together. And I feel like that gives everybody enough time to talk and have fun and do whatever,” Parker Hickman (12) said.

Through their time spent together, the players realized that they have a lot in common.

“We score pretty similarly, and as a team, we all have to root for each other, even if one of us is having a difficult day or they have a bad hole,” Jay said. “You’re never not in it, because everybody can and will score in a match eventually.”

Coach Ahlers said the whole team enjoys competing with each other, which helps everyone become a better player.

“People who don’t really play in matches still practice and shoot well, so it kind of acts as more competition for yourself to get better,” Mason Kettmann (10) said.

Ramirez stated that some of the team’s favorite moments so far are their big wins as well as funny moments during team practices.

“As a team yesterday, we just came up winning against Santa Barbara, where we won by one stroke,” Ahlers said. “Now that’s pretty cool.”

The team looks to start their league season against Pacifica High School and Oxnard High School on March 18, 2026.

Edited 3/18/26 headlined