By: Redd E. Patrick
Phil Kauders will do anything to win a golf match, even beat his own brother if he had to.
As a matter of fact, he has.
Averaging an even-par 36 over his last three matches, the sophomore has been one of six different players who have shared the spotlight for the South Brunswick High School golf team, which put its 12-0 record on the line against Peddie yesterday.
Phil’s brother Paul, a senior, has also been one of the steady Vikings. The two Kauders have the distinction of shooting the team’s low score this year at the home course at Bunker Hill, along with Chris Ardolina – a two-under 34.
"We try to help each other," Phil said. "We do have a little rivalry thing, but it makes us play harder."
A little rivalry thing?
"Nobody wants to hear it from the other if you lose," Phil said. "If he beats me, he’ll give me this look and I’ll know what he means."
And when Phil wins, he gives the same look back to his older brother?
"Not really. I don’t want to get beat up."
The only beating up going on with the Vikings is on their opponents.
Last week, the Vikings had to visit their nemesis – St. Joseph’s – at the challenging Metuchen Country Club. Despite freezing temperatures, gusty winds and a tough nine-hole layout, South Brunswick posted a 219-227 victory.
Ardolina was the only Viking who was able to overcome the elements as he shot 39. Marvin Bebawi and Ryan Cohen each shot 44, while the Kauder brothers each shot 46, which wasn’t terrible under the terrible conditions.
A season ago, South Brunswick and St. Joseph’s split during the season and wound up sharing the GMC’s Red Division title. The Vikings have beaten the Falcons twice this season, but the division is not wrapped up yet because two matches with perennial conference power East Brunswick still have to be played.
Since the St. Joseph’s match last Wednesday, South Brunswick cruised to four victories. The Vikings began that stretch with a 206-266 victory over Colonia at Bunker Hill. Phil Kauders recorded his 34, while Ardolina shot 41, Cohen 43, Bobby Ayala 44 and Bebawi 45.
Against Old Bridge, South Brunswick posted an impressive 198-221 victory over a quality Old Bridge squad at the Glenwood Country Club, a very tough course nestled off Route 9. In that one, Phil Kauders shot 38, Ardolina and Cohen 39, Paul Kauders and Tony McCracken 41.
In a tri-match on Tuesday at Bunker Hill, South Brunswick put it all together by shooting 186, which bested Piscataway’s 224 and Edison 272. Ardolina led the charge with a 34, Phil Kauders shot 36, Paul Kauders 37, McCracken 39 and Bebawi 40.
"We have six players who can all medal on a given day," said Phil Kauders, whose uncle got him into the game five years ago. "If someone is having an off day, we trust that someone will pick him up. The only bad thing about having six real good players is that you can only take five for the county and state tournaments. One of us is not going to be able to go, which is going to be tough."
If Phil Kauders continues to play the way he has over the last three matches, it would be impossible to take him out of the lineup.
"I’m just playing real well," said Kauders. "I’m just setting myself up not to make many bogeys."
Against Old Bridge, Kauders’ shining moment came when he birdied Glenwood’s toughest hole – a 450-yard, par 4 – by hitting a driver and a four-iron to within 15 feet from the cup.
Maybe he didn’t want to see his brother to give him the look.

