PERRIS – History has been made on the greens of Southern California as the Perris High School Panthers golf team stormed through the 2025 Inland Valley League with an unmatched, undefeated season, finishing with an impressive 7-0 record. This monumental achievement secured their first championship title since joining the league.
The Inland Valley League features five competitive schools, including Lakeside (Lake Elsinore), Heritage (Menifee), Vista Del Lago (Moreno Valley), Moreno Valley High, and Perris High. But this year, it was all about the Panthers, who dominated the competition with precision and consistency.
At the heart of their success is longtime head coach Aaron Nering, an Agriculture Science teacher with 13 years of experience leading the team. Coach Nering has built a program where many students step onto the course for the first time with little to no experience and leave as skilled golfers. Under his leadership, players have refined their strokes, posting scores in the 40s and 50s over nine holes by the end of the season.
“Golf teaches success through failure,” Coach Nering explained. “We start with something basic, like putting. It allows students to achieve small wins early on, and that increases their confidence. The real challenge comes when they learn to recover from errors. That’s where the growth happens.”
The support system around the team has also been a crucial factor in this year’s success. For the past two seasons, the Panthers have called Golden Era Golf Course home. The partnership with the course has provided not only a venue for competition but also an atmosphere that welcomes visiting teams. “Golden Era has been amazing for us,” Nering noted. “It’s rare to find a course that’s so supportive of high school golfers. It’s made all the difference.”
The final match of the season against Lakeside High secured Perris High’s perfect record. Facing a well-coached team under the guidance of experienced Coach Todd Naylor, a 30-year veteran and professional golfer, the Panthers rose to the challenge and delivered under pressure. Coach Naylor had nothing but praise for Nering’s approach. “He puts in the time. He knows the game inside and out. He’s one of the best coaches around,” said Naylor.
The championship title not only brings attention to the strides made by the Panthers but also elevates their program. With a promotion to a more competitive league next year, they will face stiffer opposition. However, this level of competition is something the team and their coach eagerly anticipate. “We know the road ahead will be tougher, but this is what we’ve prepared for. We’re ready to take the next step,” Nering said.
The team has relied on senior leadership this season, and as these top players graduate, the focus will shift to developing new talent. Incoming players will have the summer to train, sharpen their skills, and step into larger roles. While the upcoming season presents challenges, Perris High’s golf program is riding a wave of momentum that few in the Inland Valley region have seen before.
Looking ahead, the environment at Perris High is filled with optimism. The culture of growth, learning, and steady improvement fostered by Coach Nering has established a strong foundation for future success. Both current and future players have bought into a team-first mentality defined by discipline and hard work. As they move into a new league, this culture will be the driving force behind their continued achievements.
The Panthers’ undefeated season is a reminder of what is possible with dedication and focus. With an exciting summer of preparation lined up and Coach Nering leading the way, the question isn’t whether Perris High will rise to the occasion but how far they’ll climb.
Golf fans and supporters of the Panthers will want to keep an eye on Perris High next season because this program is proving that greatness is built one swing at a time.
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