Nerves of steel, rod of graphite

By Michael Ashcraft --

Rob Scribner, LCA junior, was losing by one stroke a Westmark star on the 7th hole Monday at Balboa Golf Course in a private school league tournament.

"This is just time to put your practice into play," Rob told himself at the time. "Just play consistent. I wanted to give myself the best chance. I wanted to have a good performance. If I won, then I won, but if I didn't, I wanted to have something I could be happy about at the end."

So Rob, who studies at Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica, calmed himself down. He loves to win, but he didn't want to get nervous. He called about the hours and days and months of practice to just play well.

The nerves of steel paid off. While Rob calmed himself, his Westmark competitor apparently lost his nerve and double-boogied on the 8th and then again on the 9th hole.

With 9th hole, Rob sunk 12-foot put for par. He knew he won.

"I obviously couldn't control him. All I could do was control my game," Rob says. "I just tried to play good and steady and not focus on trying to win.

"He ended up choking kind of."

Three schools competed at the second tournament of this season. Rob was first place for the whole season. He took first place last week. Many of the student players are beginners and get the chance at competitive golf.