City College golfers Brandon Harkins and Brandon Gama may be each other’s biggest rivals on the course, but that doesn’t stop the two friends from constantly pushing each other to get better.

With equal determination and passion, they lead this years men’s team and share the goal that just might be any young golfer’s dream: going pro.

On a blazing hot Saturday afternoon, Gama couldn’t help but roll down the windows of his Chevrolet with the smooth sounds of Sublime’s “Santeria” flowing through his speakers.

“It is one of my favorites,” Gama explained as he pulled up to the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Goleta. Teammate Harkins was already practicing his swing at the range.

Considering the outstanding season so far for the two golfers, their performance has been a reflection of the many hours spent polishing their play.

Harkins himself has individually won 4 out of 5 tournaments this season-something that has never been done at City College. His play is key to the team’s current first place ranking in the Western State Conference. The consistent low-scorer, Gama, is an important player that Head Coach Chuck Melendez has really been working hard with.

“Gama has been playing real well for us too,” Melendez said. “He shows a great deal of leadership to our team.”

Both players finished tied for first place with a 2-under-par 70 in their Feb. 12 tournament, for which they received medals.

“It’s pretty cool, except I want to beat him, you know,” Gama said.

Regardless of the rivalry for the individual first place spot, the two friends alternate hitting and helping each other.

“That’s really good,” said Harkins commenting on Gama’s hit.

“It was messed up,” Gama objected.

“No, it was dead straight,” said Harkins as he stepped up to adjust Gama’s stance. “Try now.”

Gama, trusting his advice set another ball off to the far side of the 275-yard range.

The 19-year-old turf management major, Gama, is in his second year at City College, while 20-year-old Communications major Harkins is in his first.

Born in Walnut Creek, Harkins came to Santa Barbara for the weather and the golf he had loved since he was a child. Gama, who was born and raised in Santa Barbara, didn’t discover the sport until just prior to his teenage years.

“My friend took me to Twin Lakes [Golf Course] when I was 11 or 12, gave me a club, and I could hit it pretty good,” Gama said. “Eventually, I just became obsessed.”

Golf is a big deal for the two, as they both share similar interests in athletics.

“I like traveling and sports in general,” Harkins said. “The San Francisco Giants are my favorite, I live for them, I love them.”

Gama agrees on being a sports fan and adds that he likes spending time with family and friends. When the season is over and the state championship is won, which Gama says is the plan, they want to enter amateur competition and transfer to four-year universities. But when it comes to their golfing careers, neither of them will be satisfied until they reach the top.