"One of my friend's older brothers was in the old MAGS team, which was about seven years ago. That was a social side. Then we thought it might be a good idea to start it back up again. With high school sport, you kind of need to have that culture and background to move forward. I find that with cricket as well," Taylor, also a member of the MAGS First XI, said.
There was an element of the unknown stepping into division two, and most teams have four players, taking the best three scores in each match. MAGS did not have that luxury.
"Having three players was a bit of a struggle. Hopefully we'll have more strength in depth in coming years," he says.
They have two ready-made for long golfing careers at the school. Stephens is a Year 9 boarder out of Taumarunui and plays off a 15, but often went much better than that, especially as the season wore on. He is strong off the tee. Lee too is in Year 9, an international student from South Korea, and has already rubbed shoulders with Halberg winner Lydia Ko, herself not long out of school. The two first crossed paths at the North Shore club, where Lee used to be a member.
"She gave me some putting tips. She told me to think of the hole being bigger on the greens," Lee said. You can bet he'll be working through the winter at his Akarana club on lowering his handicap from 17.5.
The Monday afternoon competition is popular, allowing students to play other sports. Stephens, for example, can turn out for his junior A cricket side on Saturdays and still play for the golf team.
Coach/manager Max Jeremic, himself a recreational golfer, says the future of golf at the school is "looking really bright".
More players, more teams, more interest - that's his aim and already he is fielding inquiries from parents keen to have their boys involved next year. There may even be some girls (the competition is mixed gender, handicap-based), perhaps inspired by Ko, wanting to compete.
"Golf is great. It teaches patience, perseverance, etiquette and respect," Jeremic said.
Jeremic wants more players to create depth. In turn, that will give MAGS more of a shot at winning games, improving handicaps and making the move eventually into division one, this year won by Auckland Grammar School over Massey High School.
In the short-term, next month sees the Auckland SS teams championship and regional stroke play champs. Skipper Taylor may just be in the thick of that.
Tennis
Senior A1 boys final: AGS beat Westlake BHS 7-2; third-fourth: Sacred Heart beat King's 6-3
Senior A1 girls round-robin final: Diocesan beat Baradene 6-3, St Cuthbert's beat EGGS 8-1, Westlake GHS beat Carmel 9-0
Water polo
Premier boys' championship semifinals: Sacred Heart Sharks beat Rangitoto 11-4, AGS 1 beat St Kentigern 10-9; fifth/sixth: Westlake BHS beat Kristin 11-3
Premier boys' plate: King's beat MAGS 10-5, AGS 2 beat St Peter's 8-5
Premier girls' championship semifinals: Kristin beat Dio 10-8, Rangitoto beat Westlake GHS 7-4; fifth/sixth: St Cuthbert's beat EGGS 6-0
Premier girls' plate: St Mary's beat Carmel 5-3, St Kentigern beat MAGS 6-5
Kilikiti
Auckland SS final placings:
A grade boys: Avondale College 1, Southern Cross Campus 2, Otahuhu College 3
A grade girls: Kelston Girls' High School 1, McAuley High School 2, Southern Cross Campus 3
B grade boys: Pakuranga College 1, Tamaki College 2, Onehunga High School 3
B grade girls: St Dominic's College 1, Tamaki College 2, St Mary's College 3
Triathlon
Auckland SS team tag final placings:
Intermediate boys: Westlake BHS 1, St Kentigern 2, Macleans 3
Intermediate girls: St Mary's 1, Diocesan 2, Baradene 3
Intermediate mixed: Howick 1, Takapuna Grammar 2, Macleans 3
Junior boys: St Kentigern 1, Macleans 2, Green Bay 3
Junior girls: St Cuthbert's 1, St Cuthbert's 2, Baradene 3
Junior mixed: Howick 1
Senior boys: St Kentigern 1, Macleans 2, Takapuna Grammar 3
Senior girls: Takapuna Grammar 1, St Kentigern 2, Westlake BHS 3
Senior mixed: Pakuranga 1
