Borsuk, HHS golfers seeking huge season

Raiders seeking titles in 2007

By: John Beisser
   
   Following the best season in school history and featuring arguably the best player in school history, the Hillsborough High golf team enters the 2007 season with their clubs locked and loaded and a bullseye splashed across their collective chests.
   The Raiders compiled a sterling 15-2 record in 2006, which included a perfect 10-0 record in Skyland Conference play. Hillsborough was eighth in the NJSIAA Tournament, third in Group 4 and won the sectional title.
   Hillsborough is talented, experienced and deep and has all the makings of a championship team. All discussion begins with senior Andrew Borsuk.
   How talented a golfer is this young man? Talented enough to have shot as staggering seven-under par 29 at Royce Brook last season, a nine-hole round that featured two eagles and a clutch 15-foot par putt on the final hole. Talented enough to have his pick of several colleges that boast golf teams and talented enough to be considered the top player in the region and one of the best in the entire state.
   While most area coaches are relying on one or two quality players, meshed with a host of question marks, Hillsborough eighth-year head coach Paul Parker counters with eight accomplished players. Of Hillsborough’s top eight players, five are seniors, two are sophomores and one is a freshman.
   Competition will be fierce as six players comprise a lineup in Skyland Conference play and individual tournaments feature either four or five-man teams. At times, Parker may have a player relegated to the jayvee team who might be the No. 1 or 2 starter at another area school.
   In five preseason nine-hole matches, to no one’s surprise, Borsuk posted the best average (35.8) but it was sophomore Zach Schiffman who checked in at No. 2 with a 37.8 average. Senior Nick Grappone was at 38.5, the battle-
tested senior Logan Cecchine had a preseason average of 39.4 and seniors Ed Zielonka and Craig Durant were at 40.0 and 40.6, respectively. Pressing for potential playing time will be freshman Ryan Hengerer and sophomore Mike Voitovich.
   "To have six players average between 35.8 and 40.6 speaks to our depth," Parker said. "Everyone seems to think we’re the team to beat in the area. But as I told the guys, this is a new year and people are relying on our reputation from last year. I’ve got six guys with varsity experience but the fact is we haven’t played anybody yet."
   The Raiders were slated to kick off their 2007 campaign by competing in the third annual Garden State Cup Blue Heron Pines n Galloway Township, a tournament that features the preseason top 20 teams in the state. Each team was scheduled to bring five players to the event with Parker electing to bring his five seniors.
   "I decided to take the five seniors and let them play together," Parker said. "It kind of makes it sentimental but in deciding who plays in the county and conference tournaments, the lineup will be based on their scoring averages and the kids know that."
   Hillsborough was scheduled to begin its dual match season on Wednesday with a match vs. traditionally tough Bridgewater-Raritan at the Panthers’ home course, Green Knoll. In a departure from previous seasons, the Somerset County Championship will be played early in the season with the county teams set to tee it up on Monday, April 9 at the county’s signature public course, Neshanic Valley.
   "I guess it came down to the availability of the course but, to me, playing the county tournament in the second week of the season is way too early," Parker said. "The conditions won’t be great and the players aren’t in a groove yet. It’s like playing the NCAA basketball tournament in the second week. When does baseball play their county championship? I mean, it just doesn’t make a lot of sense."
   What does make sense is that Hillsborough just might have the best team in, not only the Skyland Conference but in all of Somerset County.
   "We’ve got a chance to do some special things," Parker said. "Individually, there are a lot of rewards Andrew Borsuk can get from his hard work. Andrew will definitely play in college and he has been working on his game all winter. There is definitely a lot of stuff on his shoulders.
   "Based on the five preseason matches, Zach (Schiffman) would be our No. 2 man," Parker added. "He’s really playing well. Logan (Cecchine) has all of the tools to be an excellent high school golfer and there are many rewards out there for him if he can maintain his mental focus. Nick (Grappone) has worked on his game and is taller, bigger and stronger. Ed (Zielonka) played mostly jayvee last season and he just needs to be a bit more consistent and work on his accuracy. Craig (Durant) needs to work on his tempo a bit but he’s going to be all right. And I really like what I’ve seen from Ryan (Hengerer) and Mike (Voitovich)."
   Gentlemen, start your drivers. It should be a great spring to follow the fortunes of this potentially dazzling 2007 edition of Hillsborough High golf.