Not so for the Pioneer golf team. The Mustangs won the title in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League in 2003 and made the move up to the Mt. Hamilton Division last year. They were so intimidated that all they did was finish third in league race and send five players to the Central Coast Section tournament.

This year, head coach Myron Zaccheo expects more of the same, and maybe better. Mt. Hamilton co-champs Leland and Branham will be title favorites again this spring, but "will be challenged by the Pioneer Mustangs," says Zaccheo.

Pioneer won the Santa Teresa crown with a 14-0 league record in 2003 then posted an impressive 9-5 mark in the Mt. Hamilton circuit last season. What's more, the Mustangs were well-represented at CCS.

"We had five individuals qualify last year for CCS," said Zaccheo. "Hopefully we can qualify as a team this season."

Seniors Tom Garcia and Tony Ventimiglia and juniors Keith Lucken, Alex Hunt and Nolan Maggipinto all return for the Mustangs this spring after making the trip to the section tourney last year.

Junior Chris Walters and sophomore Michael Collins also return for the Mustangs this season and they'll be joined by two newcomers, freshman Nick Neri and junior Joe Pineda, a transfer from Willow Glen.

The Mustangs are off to a 2-0 start in division play and they are 2-1 for the season. Pioneer knocked off Santa Teresa 202-236 last week at The Villages. Hunt fired even par with a 36 to lead the Pioneer effort.

Zaccheo, who retired from teaching and as one of the area's premiere football coaches in a career that took him from San Jose to Gunderson and ultimately Pioneer, is assisted by Charlie Eddie, a former professional at the La Rinconada and Boulder Ridge country clubs and a former Almaden resident.

"Charlie recently retired to the Saddle Creek area and is available to us only on a very part-time basis," said Zaccheo. "We all miss him as a person and golf instructor 'extraordinaire.' "

The Mustangs, one of just five teams fielding a junior varsity squad in the combined Mt. Hamilton and Santa Teresa divisions, play their home matches at The Villages Golf and Country Club, where Tim Flanagan is the head pro.

"This is our fifth season at this beautiful course located in the Evergreen foothills," said Zaccheo. "We're extremely grateful and appreciative of this privilege."

The Mustangs were to host Willow Glen on March 16 at the The Villages and they'll be back on the same fairways on March 23, 3 p.m., to host Branham in a key league match.