WELL-STOCKED IN WSC TITLE BID MOORPARK RETURNS PLENTY, ADDS EVEN MORE TO MAKE A PUSH IN GOLF.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

It's back to the drawing board for the Moorpark College golf program, which could pencil in several more low scores next year in its bid for the first Western State Conference title since the school resumed the program in 2001 after a decade-long hiatus.

Two-year starter Kurt Taylor and 2004 state individual qualifier Josh Lipman have moved on to the four-year college ranks, but Moorpark coach Will Thurston has six players returning for the 2005 season, when the Raiders also will add three of the best golfers from the traditionally tough Marmonte League.

``I wasn't looking to replace a lot with six guys remaining in the program,'' said Thurston, who will return Edgar Gonzales, Steve Harsha, Chris Paredes, Daniel Heisig, Chris Blum and Landon Currie from this year's third-place WSC finisher.

The Raiders add three players who could contend to start as freshmen, notably Kyle Thurston, son of the coach and a four-year Thousand Oaks starter who won two Marmonte individual titles and had five rounds in the 60s for this year's Southern Section-finalist Lancers.

Teammates Aaron Conrad and Bryan Martin also had exceptional senior seasons at Thousand Oaks, where Martin established himself as one of the longest hitters in the region and Conrad as perhaps the area's most improved player. Conrad recorded three rounds in the 60s, the last in the Central Coast Divisional to help the Raiders tie for second and advance to the section finals, where they placed seventh.

The younger Thurston originally was not going to play at Moorpark, but rather just work on his game to improve his chances for a scholarship at a four-year college. His addition dramatically improves what was already expected to be a strong lineup and makes the Raiders serious challengers for the WSC title Canyons has won seven consecutive years and 12 of the past 15 seasons.

Will Thurston believes Moorpark got three of the Marmonte League's best available players.

``Bryan Martin hits the long ball, has very good imagination playing his shots and delivers good scores,'' the Moorpark coach said. ``He was able to shoot in the low 70s this year.

``Aaron Conrad, I've always put in high esteem. He showed his commitment this year, and he and my boy are good friends and competed against each other in a good way and kind of fed off that competition.''

Dave Shelburne, [phone]

dave.shelburne(at)dailynews.com

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Two-year Moorpark College starter Kurt Taylor is gone, but the team still figures to be strong next season.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer