By Pete Borello

Some coaches have to plead with their players to get them to practice on their own. Dave Blasquez, however, hasn’t had that problem with his Los Altos High boys golf team.

His secret?

“It’s peer pressure,” the 10th-year coach said. “I know they’ll practice because they don’t want to let the other kids down.”

Perhaps no Los Altos player spends more time on the greens than J.B. Sines, which may help explain his status as the team’s top player.

“After he has a mediocre round, he’s out practicing for a couple hours,” Blasquez said of the senior, who’s shooting one-over-par for the season.. “And the others follow his example.”

The Eagles’ dedication has translated into success, as they enter this week tied for first in the SCVAL De Anza Division.

With only three division matches remaining, Blasquez said Los Altos (9-1, 13-2) is “pretty much assured at least a second-place finish in league.”

But the coach conceded his players are aiming to capture the division crown for the second year in a row. To do so, the Eagles will have to get past co-division leader Palo Alto, which beat Los Altos earlier in the season. The two teams are set to square off at 2:30 p.m., April 24, at Palo Alto Muni.

“It was a close match the first time,” said Blasquez, referring to his team’s 148-152 loss to Paly last month. “Since then, we’ve been shooting 150 or better. The kids realize we can do it - they can beat them.”

Last week, the Eagles beat Gunn 155-165 at Shoreline Golf Links. Sines and teammate Barrett McGrath tied for the top score of the day, each shooting a one-over-par 37.

McGrath, a freshman, has been the team’s No. 3 player this season. Blasquez likes McGrath’s potential - and his power.

“He’s a big kid who can hit the ball a long way,” the coach said. “He pounds the ball. And his short game is coming around quite well.”

The coach also praised No. 2 player David Cline, who is two-over-par for the season.

“He’s playing well,” Blasquez said of the junior. “He went through a stretch where he was off his game, but he’s come back and had a stretch of 2-under, 1-under, even and 1-over (finishes).”

But there’s no argument over who leads the Eagles, both on and off the course.

“J.B. has played really well all year and is a good senior leader,” Blasquez said of Sines, who also swims for Los Altos. “He’s working hard, and I think he understands he can probably play college golf someplace.”