Leadership at the top of the proverbial food chain in the world of high school golf is of utmost importance.

The Skyline Spartans golf team, who has compiled an overall record of 7-0 in early season action, rely heavily on the skills and leadership of top golfers Chris Mogg and Kelley Sullivan. The Mogg/Sullivan combination lives and breathes their favorite sport. Sullivan throughly enjoys being the senior team captain.

“It’s cool to have that role where everyone is looking up to you,” Sullivan said.

Skyline golf head coach Mike Fleming said Sullivan’s work ethic is evident during every single practice session at The Plateau Club in Sammamish.

“There is a reason why he is the team captain. He’s very much an example of how I want our team to practice like. Kelley takes the game seriously and is very diligent,” Fleming said.

Sullivan said the Spartans golf program benefits greatly from practicing at its home course—The Plateau Club.

“Having this as our home course is a very big advantage. Staying out of trouble is especially tough. The thing I like so much about this course is that you hit off the tee with your long irons. That is the hardest shot in the bag to hit so it’s kind of already imprinted in our minds because we do it so much,” Sullivan said. “I feel like when we go to other courses that those shots are harder for other teams to hit but it isn’t for us because we already know it so well.”

Fleming said the Plateau Club is one of the most difficult courses in the state.

“It is a fantastic place to golf. A wise person only uses their driver one time on this course. The ninth hole is the only place you see it. When you tee off you’re using irons or a hybrid club,” Fleming said. “Due to the course conditions, our golfers are all about placement. It doesn’t faze our team when we golf at Sahalee (Country Club) because it is just like our course.”

Fleming said he’s already informed Mogg he will be the team captain as a senior in 2015. The head coach said Mogg’s work ethic was evident in the months leading up to the 2014 season. The time he spent perfecting his game has paid dividends.

“Chris said he took about 15 total days off since last season ended. For 330 out of the past 365 days he was either on the course are at the range. He loves the game that much and loves getting better,” Fleming said.

Fleming said Mogg set a school record earlier this season at The Golf Club at Newcastle’s China Creek Course. Chris shot a 31, which is five under-par on the front nine.

“That was unbelievable and doesn’t happen very often. That was pretty cool,” he said.

Mogg’s dominating performances on the links this fall have had a positive effect on his teammates. Fleming said every player who golfs with Mogg sees their game ascend.

“It’s like a magic bubble effect he has as he goes around the course,” Fleming said of Mogg.

Mogg’s older brother Brian is currently a freshman on the Washington State University Cougars men’s golf team. Fleming said Brian was a great mentor for his younger brother on the links.

“Brian not only passed his gear down but he passed down his advice and practice habits. Brian talked golf and played golf with Chris as much as Chris wanted to which was quite a bit. Chris has really taken that and run with that,” Fleming said.