As the golf season grinded on, Howell High School never lost its edge.
“The kids just kept playing,” said coach Tim Hogan. “From the get-go the kids had goals. They were zoned in.”
On Thursday, Howell beat Marlboro, 169-177 to win the Shore Conference A North Division title for the second time in four years. The Rebels, 17-2 overall, were 12-2 in the division and shared first place with Christian Brothers Academy. The Rebels were the outright public school champs.
Trevor Rockhill was the low scorer for the Rebels, carding a 41 on the Battleground Country Club’s par-36 layout (home course for Marlboro). Chance Carrick and Tom Martino each shot 42 for the new champions.
“We had a tremendous season,” said Hogan. “I am thrilled.”
It was Howell’s second title of the week. Earlier, Martino, Carrick, Rockhill, Corey Carrick and Kyle Barrett made school history by winning the Freehold Regional District title for the first time ever.H
owell was outstanding that afternoon (May 27) at Eagle Oaks Country Club in Howell, winning by 13 strokes over Marlboro and putting down their low score of the year, 307.
“We played great,” said Hogan.
Martino led the way with a 74 following by Corey (75) and Chance Carrick (78). Rockhill’s 80 rounded out the scoring. All four finished in the top 10 at the par-71 course.
That depth was what separated Howell from the rest this spring. Hogan pointed out that no team could match Howell’s third, fourth and fifth players. With little drop-off in scoring between them, it was difficult at best, for teams to match up with the Rebels.
This was easily the finest golf season in Howell history and already has Hogan looking ahead to next season, as Martino and Rockhill are juniors. This year’s success, he remarked, will lead to bigger goals for next season. One of which will be qualifying for the Tournament of Champions state championship. Howell finished third in the Central/South Jersey section, missing by one stroke and one place from qualifying for the TOC (top two teams from the sectionals advanced).
That will be on the Rebels’ minds when they tee it up. So will be continuing the winning tradition that has developed. Howell has enjoyed four consecutive winning seasons and has those two A North pennants to its credit and this year’s Freehold Regional District trophy.