Bischel shoots 37 in Peddie’s opening golf victory

By: Neil Hay
   Solid scores throughout the lineup highlighted a successful start to the 2005 Peddie golf season Tuesday.
   With scores ranging from a low of 37 to a high of 47, second-year coach Bill Leece was buoyed as the Falcons defeated host George, 202-228, at the new Highlands Golf Club in Yardley.
   Most impressive of all was a freshman, Max Bischel, who led the field with his 37. Bischel, the son of Peddie golf course pro Mike Bischel, played on the junior varsity last spring as an 8th-grader. One year later he seems poised to be the Falcons’ number one golfer.
   "Bischel is an excellent player," said Leece. "He improved over the summer and fall."
   But to the delight of Leece, it does not appear that Bischel is the only weapon in the Peddie arsenal. A number of golfers are back from last year’s 9-7 team. And if everyone can play on a consistent basis throughout the season, Peddie’s team will be one to watch this spring.
   "Our problem in the pre-season was consistency. We didn’t play that much and the scores were not that good. Tuesday’s scores were more indicative of what they can do."
   On a beautiful day for golf, and playing on a new, wide-open, but tough course, the visiting Falcons showed no problems against George. Following Bischel’s lead were Eric Skirkanich, who carded 39, Preston Combs with a 40, Rob Warfield’s 41, Ross Valvano’s 45, and Dan Brackley’s 47.
   "We played very well," said Leece. "I was a little surprised, being this early in the season. But they are all capable."
   Returnees from last year are seniors Matt Sibert, Mike Lee, Valvano and Skirkanich, and sophomores Combs and Warfield. Coming up from the junior varsity is senior Craig Rosman, while the other new additions to the varsity are the freshman Bischel, the post-graduate Brackley, and sophomore Lauren Lebak, who will play on the boys varsity rather than the girls varsity.
   As for the upcoming season, Leece said, "I thinks it looks promising. Consistency will be the key. If we are consistent, we’ll have an outstanding season. If we are not consistent, then the season will be ordinary."
   With so many players vying for varsity tee time, Leece will have to find a way to give every person on the roster an opportunity to play and show what they can do.
   "I will try to make sure everyone gets in. The question is, how much? It’s a problem, but a nice problem. It creates competition, which helps us play better. I don’t want them to get too satisfied. I want to keep them on their toes. The best players will play."