By: Redd E. Patrick
The two most important parts of the 2003 season for the South Brunswick High School golf team are the very beginning and the very end.
At the very end, the Vikings want to be the GMC champions and one of top two teams in the Group IV tournament, which would bring an automatic bid to the Tournament of Champions.
The very beginning, according to coach Mark Kraft, would set the tone for the very end.
With that being said, the end of the season could be very meaningful because the Vikings are off to a 4-0 start with all the matches held at home at Bunker Hill.
South Brunswick opened with a 201-216 decision over a quality Old Bridge team, followed by a 198-254 tune-up over a struggling Kennedy squad. The next match was a big one as South Brunswick scored a 207-220 victory over perennial-area power St. Joseph’s of Metuchen. A year ago, the Vikings split with St. Joseph’s en route to an 18-1-1 record. South Brunswick then beat rival North Brunswick 212-216.
"Those first four matches were real important for us," said Kraft, who founded the program 18 years ago. "You don’t like to say they were must wins, but if we want to accomplish our goals this season, then they were.
"Old Bridge is a very good team, so that was a good way to get started. The St. Joe’s match was big because we’ve developed a great rivalry with them and they’re always one of the best teams in the area, if not the state. And North Brunswick is always a tough match for us.
"Winning those matches will certainly boost our confidence. I told the team that the first four matches will give us a real good idea of where we stand as a team. Considering the weather, I thought we shot pretty well."
As expected, balance has been the key for Vikings. Marvin Bebawi was the medallist on opening day with a 39, while Paul Kauders shot a two-under 34 vs. JFK, followed by a two-over 38 by Ryan Cohen. Chris Ardolina was the medallist in the next two matches, shooting identical 38s.
"We have six very good players, all capable of being No. 1 on a given day," said Kraft. "All the good teams are real strong up front, but it’s the rear where it really counts. That’s a big strength for us."
With only one player from last year’s regular rotation graduated No.1 Tom Poorten the Vikings returned a solid nucleus, plus a group of promising youngsters.
"We had a lot of kids coming back, plus some others who were waiting in the wings," said Kraft. "In some matches, we’re able to give them a chance."
The Vikings had two matches postponed this week due to the untimely snow.
Throughout the regular season in 2003, the Vikings will be branching out of the GMC and taking on such opponents as Steinert and Notre Dame from Mercer County and Southern Regional from Ocean County.
"We’re playing a much tougher schedule this year," said Kraft. "We think that will make us tougher for the county and state tournaments."

