Wi’s Teammates Save His Seoul : Faced With Conflict in Schedule, Westlake Golfer Lets Squad Decide

Charlie Wi was faced with a dilemma. A sophomore golfer on the Westlake team, Wi is considered one of the best young players in the Valley area, if not all of Southern California.

The problem is that Wi (rhymes with tee) is also one of the best amateur players in his native South Korea. Wi, who was born in Seoul and immigrated to the United States when he was 9, qualified to play in the Asian Games in Seoul when he shot 71-71--142 three weeks ago to finish first in a field of 120 players in a Korean Golf Assn. qualifying tournament at Azusa Greens Country Club in Azusa.

Wi later realized, however, that the Seoul tournament, a 72-hole event that runs Tuesday through Friday, coincides with the Southern Section regional team tournament Monday at Olivas Park Golf Course in Ventura. Westlake, which has a winning streak of 70 consecutive dual-meet matches, is the two-time defending Southern Section champion.

“At the time, he didn’t really realize that the thing would conflict with the playoffs,” Westlake Coach Lorin Maygren said. “He wanted to go, but he didn’t want to hurt the team’s chances, either.”

It was a big decision for a 16-year-old to face. So he took the easy way out and asked Maygren to decide. Maygren, not willing to bear the brunt of a bad call, turned to the team, which gave Wi the green light to travel.

“They’re paying first-class air fare, for first-class hotel, giving him a full wardrobe and everything,” Maygren said. “It was something he wanted to do, but he couldn’t reach a decision. He says, ‘I want to do what’s best for the team. You decide, coach.’ ”

Westlake must finish among the top three in a 27-team field Monday to advance to the Southern Section team finals on May 23 at Canyon Country Club in Palm Springs. Wi has been playing as Westlake’s third or fourth man all season.

“I don’t know whether it will be a good decision or not,” Maygren said. “But I guess if we don’t have the firepower to make it through the regionals we won’t have enough to defend the title.”

Wi is expected to return for the May 23 finals if Westlake qualifies. He is scheduled to leave immediately after Friday’s round for the 13-hour flight home. Maygren would not mind if he gets back early.

“He told me if I play bad the first couple of days to fly home as soon as I can,” Wi said with a laugh. “He wants me back here as soon as possible.”