Monroe golf hopes to build off 2002 successes

By: Redd E. Patrick
   If the 2002 season was a turning point, the Monroe High School golf program is headedin the right direction.
   After suffering through some growing pains in 2000 and 2001 with a young team, competing against high-quality competition on a daily basis, the Falcons’ nucleus stayed together, worked on their games and persevered last season. Moving down to the GMC Blue Division, where the competition wasn’t as fierce, Monroe was also able to get some confidence going with a couple of wins under its belt.
   Those victories snowballed into a 15-3 record last spring, which included an 11-1 record to win the Blue Division title.
   With just one player graduated from last year — Anthony Barbato, who played at No. 1-2 — the Falcons are looking for even better things this season, which opened yesterday with a match against South River.
   "Of course we’d like to repeat as division champs," coach Pete LoPresti said. "But we’ve also upgraded the schedule with two prestigious tournaments — the Cherry Valley Tournament and the Pirate Invitational. So our goals also include doing as well as we can in those tournaments and the GMC Tournament. We feel we can improve from last year."
   One of the big reasons for optimism is the emergence of freshman Bryan Bailey, who could challenge senior Justin Rohrig for the No. 1 spot.
   "Bryan hits the ball a long way, he has a good handle on the game and he will be a great player," LoPresti said. "He’s in a good situation because he’s learning from Justin, yet he’s pushing Justin. It could lead to a very healthy rivalry thing, which would help both players."
   A rivalry that Rohrig already endures is the one with his brother Doug, a sophomore letterwinner, who will play at No. 3. "Doug looks like a natural golfer," said LoPresti. "He shot some good scores for us last year and competing against his brother brings out the best in him sometimes."
   Junior Danny Kunogonis and senior Owen Fitzgerald will return to their spots at No. 4 and 5, while freshman Ronny Kushner will play at No. 6.
   "Danny will be a solid No. 4 man, Owen has really improved his game, while Ronny is one of a real good group of freshmen we have," LoPresti said.
   The Falcons’ program will be bolstered by the presence of promising freshmen Ryan Dinsmore, Grant Herring, Frank Ermel and Aaron Baker. Senior Bobby Nemeth is expected to be a contributor but is fighting tendinitis, while sophomore Kristy DeFazio is vying for playing time.
   "We have a nice mix with the veterans the younger kids," LoPresti said. "We’ve looked good in the preseason and the big thing is that the kids worked on their games and it’s showing. We’re very optimistic."