Photo by Jason Redmond

Royal High's Danny Katz, watching his shot from the first fairway during a match against Agoura at Simi Hills Golf Course earlier this month, won the CIF individual title last year. Katz is part of deep, talented Royal team.

Over the last few years, the Royal and Westlake high boys' golf teams have battled for supremacy in the Marmonte League.

This season looks like it will be no different, as the Highlanders and the Warriors have jumped to their familiar spots at the top of the league standings.

While the quality of golf throughout the county continues to rise, it looks like Royal and Westlake are clearly the top two teams in the area.

Despite losing two terrific players (Matt Hoffenberg and Paul Misko) to graduation, the Highlanders still have seven solid players in their lineup.

Coach Bob Misko has three seniors to provide strong play and leadership. Danny Katz, Kyle Holden and Shane Blanchard were all part of Royal's state runner-up team in 2007.

Katz, who won the CIF individual title as a junior, has always been a slow starter, but he's started the season playing well.

Holden has probably been the team's most consistent player this season, and has been pushing Katz for the No. 1 spot.

Holden's younger brother, Bobby, a freshman, is a phenomenal talent. He's already medaled this season, and gives Royal plenty of strength at the bottom of the lineup.

Westlake goes nine deep. It starts with the return of its two top players from a year ago, Marshall Colby and Brandon Hagy. The juniors are capable of big things this season.

Another junior, Cole Seeger, senior Scott Patterson and Chris Severn, a transfer from Oak Park, add depth to the roster.

Prior to the season, it looked like Simi Valley would also be in the mix for the title, but the Pioneers have started slowly.

They have a talented 1-2 punch in J.D. Archibald and Chase Patten, so if a few other guys can help out, the Pioneers could be a contender.

The rest of the Marmonte League is a tossup. Teams like Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Agoura and Newbury Park all have some talent, but need to be more consistent.

While Oak Park doesn't have the star power to match Royal or Westlake, its has plenty of depth and lots of solid players.

"I think we are a good team, not a great one," said Oak Park coach Bruce Beck. "We do have some depth, but not like in the past. I'm hoping that we average between 390 and 400, early on, with a goal of sub 390 by the time league approaches."

One of the Oak Park standouts is sophomore Danielle Kang, who plays at No. 2.

Oaks Christian is rebuilding a bit after losing its top players to graduation. But Chase Whiddon and Ryan Prosser are two strong players who coach Tom Placke can count on.

St. Bonaventure has the league's best player in Adam Carter and if rookie coach Jon Gomez can find a few supporting players, the Seraphs could make a postseason run. Malibu also has some talent, but probably not enough to win the league. Nordhoff is young, but coach Dick Seebek expects his team to battle.

In the Pacific View League, usual challengers Oxnard and Rio Mesa appear to top the list of contenders.

The Spartans return eight players, including Pacific View League champion Jordan Cuthbert. Sophomore Andrew Garcia gives Rio Mesa a top 1-2 punch. Trent Horniek, a transfer from St. Bonaventure, has all the skills, evidenced by a 77 at Saticoy Country Club.

Oxnard doesn't have the depth of Rio Mesa, but sophmore Jon Calupe and senior Edgar Quintos are talented players. They played most matches last year and both shoot in the 70s on a consistent basis.

Camarillo is usually in the thick of things, but the Scorpions are in a bit of a rebuilding mode after losing players to graduation.

Pacifica has gotten off to a solid start and could battle for a playoff spot.

In the Channel League, Ventura is very young, starting two sophomores with three freshmen in the mix. Senior Ryan Turner provides the leadership, along with being a solid No. 1 player. Buena is off to strong start at 7-3 and looks like it could be in the mix for the playoffs.

San Marcos figures to rule the league, but it did lose two all-league players to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara figures to make a deep run in the playoffs.