Domenico sets record in District golf title win

Silvestri leads Marlboro to team championship at Shore Oaks in Howell

Brad Domenico Brad Domenico

By tim morris

Staff Writer

B

rad Domenico was unaware of just how well he was playing. "I just wanted to play my own game," the Colts Neck golfer recalled. "I didn’t know how good I was. I just focused on putting the ball in the hole.

"With three holes to go Kevin Silvestri (his playing partner) told me that I was two over par," he added. "I was pretty nervous playing those final holes. I was glad that the last hole was a par-5. I just told myself to hit two good shots and get to the green."

Domenico did just that, getting his par-5 and finishing off an incredible round of 73 at the treacherous par-71 Shore Oaks Golf Club course in Howell on May 30.

When all the birdies, pars and bogeys were added up, Domenico was the new Freehold District champion. He had finished two strokes up on defending champion Steve Banks from Freehold Township (75) and had the added distinction of breaking the tournament record of 74 that was co-held by Banks and Manalapan’s graduated Eric Schechterman. He also made history becoming the first Colts Neck golfer to win the Freehold District title.

"This was my first individual win," said Domenico, who took home the Jim Nantz Trophy for his win. "It’s a pretty wonderful feeling.

"I go to every tournament wanting to win, and since this was the last one of the high school season, I really wanted it," he added. "I can’t say that I went into it expecting to win."

Domenico had played poorly, for him, in a dual match prior to the district tournament and spent the Memorial Day weekend practicing. Practice makes perfect and Domenico would be close enough to perfect when the district tournament rolled around.

"My putts were falling," he noted. "I was in zone. Everything was going my way.

"The greens rolled true and the course was in great condition," he added. "Shore Oaks is a pretty hard course. Things were just going my way."

Domenico started his tournament on the 10th hole and shot the back nine in one-under 35.

"I hit every green in regulation on the back nine and made my putts," he pointed out.

A 38 on the front nine gave the Cougar sophomore a 35-38 for his 73. On the day, he had four bogeys, two birdies and 12 pars.

"I had a good attitude throughout the day," Domenico noted. "I’ve had to learn to control my emotions the hard way.

"At the states, I let a couple of three-putt greens get to me and I lost focus," he added. "At the district tournament I stayed focused. When I made a bad shot, I put it behind me."

Domenico’s win wasn’t all that surprising considering how well he played in tournaments this year. He was 11th at the Monmouth County Championships at Hominy Hill and 16th at the Shore Conference played at Pebble Creek in Colts Neck. At the Central/South Group I state sectional, Domenico finished in fourth, just missing qualifying for the Tournament of Champions.

Domenico has been playing golf since he was 8 and he acknowledged that it is "a big part of my life." He plays regularly at Bella Vista, in Marlboro, where head pro Billy Bodner has been his instructor.

Just as Domenico was in a zone, the Marlboro High School golf team was near-flawless in regaining the team championship with a score of 322. Silvestri, who played in the threesome with Domenico and Manalapan’s Joe Tuosto, led the Mustangs with a 78 that brought him home in third place.

"It was a very good performance by everyone," said Marlboro Coach Stan Bryck. "Everyone played consistently and I’m proud of them.

"We had a lot of real good performances this year, but nothing to show for it," he added. "They deserved this. It was a gratifying way to end the season."

Brian Higgins (81), Ryan LeMontang (81) and Matt Cohen (82) were Marlboro’s four scorers. Fifth man Jim Fitzpatrick was right there following an 83.

Colts Neck, in just its second appearance, finished second just two strokes behind the Mustangs. In addition to Domenico’s 73, Bill Hausman shot a 78 to take fourth place for the Cougars. He lost the third-place spot on a match of cards with Silvestri.

Third place went to Manalapan which was led by Tuosto, who tied for fifth place after his 81.

Defending champion Freehold Town-ship was back in fourth place this year despite Banks’ 75.

While the district championship was going on the first state girls’ championship was held at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe, and Marlboro’s Becky Pernicone proved what everyone suspected, that she is one of the best girls in the state after she finished fourth, carding an 85.