By Grace Dietz
Copy Editor
Junior Aidan Oliver showed off his putting skills when he won the Ocean League Player of the Year award for his achievement in golf.
As an accomplished golf player, Oliver spends his time on the golf course perfecting his technique and style. This year, he used the mindset that anything is possible with a strong work ethic, Oliver said.
“I am usually able to maintain a positive and upbeat attitude throughout [every] round,” Oliver said. “I was able to maintain a steady scoring average that was lower than [my] competition. My hard work and focus led to these consistent scores.”
Oliver was given the award after officials determined that he was the player with the lowest average score in the Ocean League division for the 2019 season. He has won various competitions throughout this year, such as the Aliso Niguel Invitational Scramble with his teammate, senior Max Huggins.
“[Winning the award] felt great because I have been working hard and everyone on the team was giving me their all,” Oliver said. “Coming out on top was a great boost in confidence, [but] I still have to make sure I am continuing to get better every day.”
Oliver is a part of Costa’s Junior Varsity golf team, and has played golf competitively for over four years. In the early stages of his career, Oliver learned techniques from his father, who continues to be a big inspiration to him today. In addition to his father, his fellow teammates at Costa encourage and inspire him to continue to work hard to be able to improve his skills, Oliver said.
“I wanted to get the chance to play an individual sport in a team setting,” Oliver said. “I knew that [Costa] has had successful teams in the past and I wanted to contribute to yet another great team here at Mira Costa.”
Dedicated to his expanding golf career, Oliver practices at the Lakes in El Segundo and Old Ranch Country Club, from four to seven days a week, depending on his school work load. His schedule needs to be frequently adjusted in order to accommodate tournaments and frequent practices, Oliver said.
“Playing tournaments almost every other weekend cuts off a lot of social activity with friends and family,” Oliver said. “My busy practice schedule forces me to be responsible with time management.”
Oliver has trained under five different professional coaches over the course of his career, which include Aubry Shaw, Josh Alpert, Dana Dahlquist, Rick Sessinghaus and Costa coach, Tom Cox.
“The best coach I’ve had is Josh Alpert. He has helped me grow as both a golfer and a human throughout my entire career,” Oliver said. “[My coaches] give me the confidence that I have what it takes to get the job done.”
Although winning the Ocean League Player of the Year award is a significant accomplishment for Oliver, he wishes to continuously improve his putting and overall game. The career-defining games are memorable, but the memories that he shares with his friends on Costa’s golf team are bound to stick with him long into the future, Oliver said.
“Being on the golf course with some of [my] best friends or hitting outrageous shots outside [my] comfort zone are the two things that keep me coming back,” Oliver said. “I would love to play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association for golf because it is my passion.”
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