DAILY PILOT HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:

Marcus Kiel’s summer project was himself, his work habits, his health, his psyche, his golf game.

Scott Tarnow pulled Kiel aside after his freshman year. The two talked a lot, Tarnow is the Newport Harbor High boys’ golf coach, Kiel plays for him.

Rarely, did Kiel last season finish in the top five for Tarnow. He managed to letter, but that season brings back mixed emotions for Kiel.

The Sailors claimed their first Sunset League championship under Tarnow, a remarkable feat considering Edison, the state champion the year before, plays in the league.

In a way, the kid golfer felt left out. He felt he belonged on the seven-man team, as an alternate at least.

Kiel, the No. 8 golfer, spent most of his time on junior varsity, expressed himself to the coach. Tarnow, now in his ninth season, listened before guiding the young, talented golfer after he chose a senior over Kiel.

“I know you probably think you’re better than him,” Tarnow told Kiel. “But look, he has more experience and understands the courses.”

Experience trumped raw talent and the Sailors reaped the benefits for it.

Steve Stoneman is the senior Tarnow said he decided to use as an alternate. Mention the name and Kiel said he grew closer to another senior on the team that season.

But one player Kiel reminds Tarnow of now is someone like Stoneman, someone who can contribute to the team. Oh, and Kiel is turning in strong finishes, three straight times he earned medalist honors.

The third time a one-under-par 35 at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach against Los Alamitos on March 26. The Sailors lost the Sunset League opener, 193-196, Tarnow said mostly because the top two golfers he expected to perform like top golfers aren’t so far.

Tarnow is relying on the youngsters and they’re keeping the Sailors (9-3-1, 2-1 in league) in contention. Kiel is one player who has emerged, his good friend and sophomore Zach Eddy has as well.

The two almost do everything together, play, eat and work out.

This past summer, when Tarnow advised his players to check out Hansen Fitness, a golf specific personal training company in Irvine, the only two golfers to return after one visit were Kiel and Eddy.

Competing against each other kept them interested. Kiel, who said he’s more outspoken than Eddy, needed to push himself and someone to push him. Eddy does that, and vice versa, they compliment each other well.

Their routine began when Tarnow took Kiel aside before the summer and told him what he had to improve on to produce for the team this season.

“I think he was an average, high school looking student, not eating the best, not really exercising,” Tarnow said of Kiel as a freshman. “I told him, ‘It sounds to me like golf is really important, and as much time as you put into it, you might as well do it right.’”

Kiel started working on himself. He admits he got lazy as a freshman, or was too hard on himself when possible birdies turned into double bogeys.

On a weekly basis during the summer, Tarnow suggested Kiel check in with him. Kiel had to write down everything he did involving golf, what he read in the newspaper, what he saw on TV, what he shot on the course.

Also, focus on chipping and putting, and work out to lose the baby fat.

Kiel followed the plan. Whenever he saw Tarnow on the golf course, he handed him a piece of paper. A paragraph for each day, and soon, Tarnow had enough information for a memoir.

Kiel is grateful Tarnow was honest with him. Tarnow said there’s no other way to get better than being upfront and addressing ones weaknesses.

Instead of being slated as the No. 4 or No. 5 golfer this season, Kiel’s scores show on any given day he can be No. 1.

“Marcus works tremendously hard,” Tarnow said. “He lives golf. He watches golf. He reads about golf. He’s a tremendous asset. He wants to do well. He still has a ways to go, his overall demeanor. He lets things overtake him, which most golfers do. He’s someone who wants to continue to strive and get better.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].