The Cordova boys’ golf team work on perfecting their swings during a recent practice. 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers varsity boys’ golf team has been hard at work out at Mather Golf Course during the week in preparation for their spring season. Head coach Brian Botsford and his team are eager to get things going into full swing with Metro League competition coming up. 

This year, the team returns five players from last season and are welcoming two freshmen to the group of young talent. For Botsford, having a mix of experience and potential has him optimistic. 

"I'm excited," Botsford said when asked about his thoughts on his 2025 roster. "We have five returning players and three that made it to Sectionals last year. We also have freshmen that have a lot of experience as well and we're excited about all of it."

The Lancers are excited to tee off in the program’s first season in the Metro League. 

Key returnees include junior Nate Zilles, who Botsford was quick to reference as his No.1 in the lineup, due to the leadership he brings to the team. Botsford noted Zilles' willingness to work with others, as well as his magnetic personality as traits that help separate him out on the course. Zilles was named the Coaches Award Winner last season, an honor that Botsford gives to only one player each year based on his contributions to the club. 

Fellow juniors Mason Gibbons, Justin Rai, Rohid Salam and Khubaib Rafi round out the rest of the Lancers' returning lineup and will be counted on to provide some top scores. Botsford hopes that Tran, Gibbons and Rai will challenge Zilles for the top spot in the teams' lineup this season. Freshmen Eli Cervantes and Sawyer Dickinson will look to surprise out on the course as well. 

This school year, all Cordova sports were moved into the Metro League and Botsford said that change will bring some quality competition out on the golf course for his group.

Cordova junior Mason Gibbons gets set to work on his swing at Mather Golf Course. 

"I think for golf, its challenging," he said of the transition to the Metro League. "You play some great courses like Cherry Island, Woodcreek and Bing. But the challenging schools like West Park, McClatchy and Kennedy will have some pretty good kids."

Even so, Botsford has high expectations for his talented young roster, whom he said can compete at a high level when Metro League play begins later this month. 

"I would like to be in the Top Three," Botsford said of his goals for the team within league play this season. "We would like to beat one of the three (West Park, McClatchy or Kennedy). That would be my goal. On an individual player level, I really think we have four that will move on to Sectionals."