Raiders showing great balance, depth
By: John Beisser
Here’s a frightful notion for future opponents of he Hillsborough High golf team, which is ranked second in the latest New Jersey Top 20 Poll. The Raiders’ most accomplished player, senior Andrew Borsuk, is struggling a bit with his game yet Hillsborough (4-0, 2-0 in the Skyland Conference) continues to run roughshod over its opponents.
Led by the inspired play of senior Nick Grappone, Hillsborough vanquished a good Immaculata team, 186-206 last Wednesday at Hillsborough Country Club. The Raiders followed up that effort two days later, posting a pair of wins in a tri-match vs. South Brunswick and Piscataway at Bunker Hill in Griggstown. HHS carded a four-man score of 156 (the Greater Middlesex Conference counts the low four of six scores vs. Skyland Conference play which tallies the low five of six scores) to easily defeat South Brunswick and Piscataway, which shot 168 and 194, respectively.
"It’s a good problem to have," said Raider coach Paul Parker, referring to the fact his players not named Borsuk have more than made up for the star player’s mini-slump. "The other guys, starting with Nick, have really stepped up and played great golf. I’m not worried about Andrew. I know he’ll come around."
When Borsuk hits his inevitable stride, upcoming Raider foes better look out. Consider this fact against Immaculata, two players broke par and four players broke 40.
Grappone registered a pair of eagles in firing an amazing three-under par 33, while sophomore Zach Schiffman turned in an eye-opening one-under par 35. Senior Ed Zielonka came in at one-over par 37 while senior Logan Cecchine carded a three-over par 36. Borsuk, uncharacteristically, shot a 42.
In the tri-match with South Brunswick and Piscataway, the script was the same. Grappone led the way with a 36, Cecchine shot 38, freshman Ryan Hengerer took advantage of a rare start with a solid 41, which matched Borsuk’s 41.
How good has Grappone been in the early going? Just two weeks into the season, he has already qualified for the NJSIAA individual tournament and his dual match average is a spiffy 35.6.
"Nick’s been my best player," Parker said. "He and the rest of the guys have been great and, like I said, it’s just a matter of time before Andrew rounds into form. Most teams rely on their number one guy but my kids are playing great even without our number one player at his best, which speaks to our depth."
Last season, Grappone sported a sub-40 average, but this year he has taken his game to another level. Being a driving range member at Royce Brook allowed him to hone a repetitive swing and he also competed in several ultra-competitive America Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events as well as competing in the Hillsborough Golf Association (HGA).
"I’m hitting the ball a lot more solid this year and overall I have been more consistent in all areas of my game," Grappone said. "I’m not making as many big numbers and I am a lot more confident. I would say the most improvement I’ve shown has been in my driving and short game."
Grappone will likely not continue his golf career at the University of Maryland next season so he is eager to make the most of his final season of high school golf. He made like Tiger Woods at Augusta circa 1997 by eagling the first and ninth holes at Hillsborough Country Club vs. Immaculata en route to his 33. After a mammoth drive on the first hole, his four-iron approach settled 25 feet from the pin from where he calmly drained the putt for a three.
Following a birdie on number four, which put him at three-under par, he recorded back-to-back bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes. After steadying himself with pars on the seventh and eighth holes, Grappone needed only an eight-iron from the left rough to reach the ninth green. He then knocked in his 11-foot putt for his second eagle and just his 33rd stroke of the round.
"The ninth hole is playing very short since we are playing a temporary tee from well in front of the regular tee," Grappone said humbly.
Still and all, two eagles and a birdie in a nine-hole match is certainly a noteworthy accomplishment for a team that has the makings to be frighteningly good when and if the entire lineup hits its peak.
Due to the Nor’easter that ripped through the area last weekend, Monday’s Somerset County Tournament was postponed until this Monday, April 23 at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course. Weather permitting, the Raiders had a chance to be 7-0 heading into the tourney with winnable matches scheduled vs. Watchung Hills (Tuesday), Voorhees (Thursday) and Delaware Valley (Friday).

