Falcon golfers don’t ask questions as they just keep on winning

By: Redd E. Patrick
   Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s experience, maybe it’s both.
   Whatever the reason, the young Monroe High School golf team is not going to stop to analyze things. The Falcons are just going to keep on playing.
   A year ago, the Falcons captured the Blue Division of the Greater Middlesex Conference and lost just three matches, but there was still a long way to go as far as getting their scores down individually and as a team.
   This year, with a starting six consisting of two freshmen, a sophomore, a junior and two seniors, Monroe has suffered just one loss and has all but locked up another Blue Division crown. But more importantly, the Falcons are starting to shoot scores that will move the team to another level.
   A year ago, the Falcons were overmatched in county and state play, but this year, the club is hoping to make a little noise.
   "We’re playing better and better," coach Pete LoPresti said. "The weather has been a little better and the kids are getting more and more experience each time they’re out there. Last year, some of them got a taste of the big-time in the county and state tournaments and this year we played in a big-time tournament at Cherry Valley, which gave the kids great exposure."
   In their two most recent matches, the Falcons beat Cardinal McCarrick 215-234 at the Tamarack Golf Course (Blue course), then shot 220 at home at the Forsgate Country Club to beat North Brunswick (248) and Metuchen (290) in a tri-match. That pushed the mark to 11-1.
   While senior Justin Rohrig has been the main man all season, his brother Doug, a sophomore, has taken his game to another level. Against McCarrick, Doug matched Justin with 40. In the tri-match, Doug was the medallist with a two-over-par 38, while Justin shot 41.
   "Doug has been outstanding," LoPresti said. "He’s swinging real well and his overall game has improved so much."
   In the match vs. McCarrick, freshman Ron Kushner shot 43, junior Danny Kunogonis shot 44 and freshman Bryan Bailey 48. Against North Brunswick and Metuchen, Kushner shot 45, while Kunogonis and Bailey each shot 48.
   "In the tournaments, you have to stay away from the real big scores at the bottom of the order," LoPresti said. "Right now, our scores are getting better, so once the GMCs and states get here, hopefully we’ll be ready. The kids are really doing a lot of nice things."
   Last week, Monroe traveled to Plainfield to take on John F,. Kennedy of Iselin at the Plainfield West Nine, a par-33 course which is part of the Plainfield Country Club.
   The match lasted just five holes before the rain came, but the Falcons left with 113-130 victory. Justin Rohrig averaged four shots per hole with a 20, Bailey and Kushner finished at 22, Doug Rohrig 23, while Kunogonis and senior Owen Fitzgerald each had 26.