San Lorenzo Valley High’s James Dahlen essentially grew walking the fairways at Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club. As a 2-year-old, he toted around a wooden club made by his uncle, Bud, and took his cuts as the family played the course each week on “Tee it up Tuesdays.”
Eventually, Dahlen transitioned to real clubs and continued to improve during the countless hours he spent on his home course. Over the years, he tested his talents on other courses throughout the county, and found success.
The Cougars’ junior was at his best this spring. He averaged 35.11 strokes over 10 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League matches, with a 2.55 differential, and was named league MVP after leading his team to its first title in school history, which secured a berth into the Central Coast Section Regionals.
Dahlen won medalist honors in six of the Cougars’ matches. Among his highlights, he carded four birdies on the front nine at Pasatiempo Golf Club, and shot even-par 35 at Seascape to help SLV (9-1) beat Aptos (8-2).
Luke Dahlen, the Cougars’ coach, said his son is solid off the tee, even better putting, and dialed in with his short iron game.
“He’s our quiet captain, and let’s his golf do the talking,” said Luke, the SCCAL Coach of the Year. “Everyone enjoys playing with him as he is a “chiller,” as I’ve been told by other golfers. He’s a fierce competitor while at the same time cool, calm and collected on the course. I’m just so damn proud of him for leading us as a team and leading us to our first title in school history.”
Dahlen was a repeat first-team player, as were Scotts Valley senior Colton Duerson and Soquel junior Luke English.
Harbor junior Kaden Dunton, the SCCAL individual champion after firing a 73 at Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside, SLV junior Keenen Buntz, and Aptos senior Tyler Grosdidier rounded out the first team.
Dunton had the league’s second-best scoring average, 36.67 over nine matches, with a 2.90 differential. Buntz also had a 36.67 average over 10 matches with a 3.56 differential. Grosdidier averaged 38.13 over eight matchees, English averaged 39.33 over nine matches, and Duerson averaged 40.00 over nine matches.
ALL-SCCAL BOYS GOLF
SPECIAL HONORS
MVP: James Dahlen (SLV), Jr.
Coach of the Year: Luke Dahlen (SLV)
FIRST TEAM
James Dahlen (SLV), Jr.
Kaden Dunton (Harbor), Jr.
Keenen Buntz (SLV), Jr.
Tyler Grosdidier (Aptos), Sr.
Luke English (Soquel), Jr.
Colton Duerson (Scotts Valley), Sr.
SECOND TEAM
Tobin Ortiz-McClendon (Santa Cruz), Jr.
Ben Nowark (Aptos), Jr.
Cliff Chesnut (Santa Cruz), Jr.
Colby Culbertson (Aptos), Jr.
Braden Brooks (Santa Cruz), Jr.
Shawn Rochelle (Aptos), Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Luke Garvey (Aptos), Sr.
Andrew Cox (Aptos), Sr.
Wyatt McCabe (SLV), Sr.
Sam Wickens (Santa Cruz), Jr.
Bodie Weld (Santa Cruz), So.
Cole Christensen (Soquel), Fr.
Luke Fontinell (SLV), Jr.
Luke Battey (Soque)l, Sr.
Kaito Levy (Harbor), Sr.
Kyler Samples (Harbor)
Cal Rockow (Scotts Valley), Sr.
Will Jackson (Scotts Valley), Sr.