By: Redd E. Patrick
The Monroe High School golf team has been consistent about one thing this season … inconsistency.
Grant Herring shoots 42 to take home honors in a victory over Colonia early this week, but then struggles with a 52 a day later vs. Old Bridge. Doug Rohrig gets hot with a pair of 41s, then shoots 45 and 48.
It’s been that type of season for the Falcons.
"We just can’t seem to get into a groove," coach Pete LoPresti said. "We seem to take a step forward, then we take two steps back. It’s a little frustrating, but the kids are still battling."
The Falcons still have their heads above water at 4-2. The two losses have both come against Old Bridge, which is one of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference.
Monroe showed improvement since the first meeting with Old Bridge on opening day, but the problem is, so did the Knights.
On the first day of the season, Old Bridge won 174-194 at the Forsgate Country Club. On Tuesday, at the Glenwood Country Club, the Falcons shaved six strokes off that score, but Old Bridge also shaved six in a 165-187 victory.
"We’re still not shooting as well as can, we’re still inconsistent," LoPresti said. "But Old Bridge is a top team. Root (Bill Root, who shot 38) is a helluva player. We’re not at that level yet."
It’s hard to tell what level they’re at right now, as the Falcons had an interesting week.
Last Thursday at Forsgate, they finished with the same score as Colonia, 188-188, but won on a fifth-score tiebreaker. Brian Zimmer’s 53 outdid Kevin Naples of Colonia, who shot 55. Rohrig led Monroe with a 41, Herring shot 46, Evan Jones 48 and Ryan Dinsmore 53.
"You never know," LoPresti said. "Every score is important. You don’t know it at the time, but that fifth score can win you a match."
Five days later, Monroe’s next opponent was Colonia again. Playing at home at the Colonia Country Club, this was a perfect setting for revenge. It was not to be as the Falcons cruised to a 180-188 victory. Herring was the top dog with a 42, followed by Rohrig’s 45, Jones’ 46 and Dinsmore’s 47.
In the match vs. Old Bridge, it was Jones pacing the Falcons with a 45. Dinsmore shot 46, Rohrig 48 and Frank Ermel 48.
"We think we have a solid top four," LoPresti said. ""We’re a little thin after that, so we need some consistency up front. The kids are capable, so hopefully we can all get it together at the same time."