BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — The Metuchen High School boys golf team started the season 4-1 before dropping its last two matches with Old Bridge and Monroe.
The Bulldogs began last week with a 197-201 win over Middlesex, before falling to Old Bridge 188-211 and Monroe 184-209.
Juniors Noah Fessler, David Kotler and Bill Vohdin are leading the team in performance and desire. The success of this year’s team is a direct result of the hard work and dedication the trio put forth during last summer’s off-season.
Fessler occupies the No. 1 spot on this season’s Bulldog team and has come along way since he joined the varsity team his freshman year.
"Noah is an awesome soccer player," Metuchen head coach Mike Butler said. "He joined the team because he wanted to do something else and he had never played before. He has a natural swing and is really into the game."
Fessler’s natural swing coupled with his instinct for the game bodes well for the team.
"His iron game is really good," Butler said. "He’s a real smart golfer and he knows how to play the course. He’s come a long way. When he first showed up, he had an old set of his grandfather’s clubs. Eventually, I was able to get him a new set, and today he is shooting in the mid 40s."
Kotler and Vohdin improved their games at their summer jobs at Fairway Golf Center in Piscataway.
"I wish all of my guys could have the summer that David and Bill had," Butler said. "Last year was David’s first, and he really got into the sport during the summer. The two of them played all summer, and Bill is now shooting in the 50s — compared to the 60s from a year ago."
Kotler’s improvement in just one year of golf is remarkable. He is now the Bulldogs No. 2 guy behind Fessler.
"David is consistent and he is a hard worker," Butler said. "He is into golf in a big way."
Occupying the third position is senior left-hander Dan Grayzel. Grayzel joined the team his sophomore year after playing baseball as a frosh.
"Dan came with me after I became the head golf coach," Butler said. "I coached him on the freshmen baseball team, and he is another guy that has shown me something. He has a nice swing and can shoot in the mid 40s."
Fellow senior Ryan Oliver usually scores in the mid to low 50s and is a key contributor in most matches.
Rounding out the team are freshmen Bryan Mulligan and Stephen Coscia.
"Bryan and Stephen are starting off completely new to the sport," Butler said. "They are very serious about playing and getting better."
The Bulldogs travel to Forsgate to face Monroe High School today, and to Tamarack Golf Course in East Brunswick tomorrow to compete against Cardinal McCarrick.
"This team has a chance to be the third-best team in the division," Butler said. "Maybe we can pull off an upset in the GMC tournament."
The conference tournament begins May 21. Before then, the Bulldogs are hoping to stay above .500 and earn a spot in post-season play.
"There are about four or five golfers in Metuchen High that can shoot between the 30s and 40s," Butler said. "Unfortunately, these guys are playing other sports like baseball and tennis. This year’s team is a real good group of kids, and it’s a lot of fun working with the guys."