ALLENTOWN—Golf shoots for more success

BY: Kyle Moylan Sports Editor
    After losing three starters to graduation following a very successful 2008 season, the Allentown High School golf team seemed like it might be taking a few swings back this year.
    Then again, maybe not.
    Allentown was 15-4 in the regular season in 2008. It then won the Central/South Jersey Group II championship. Allentown would go on to place second in the state in Group II and ninth overall in New Jersey at The Meet of Champions.
    “You’re supposed to drop off after a year like that, but I like what I’ve seen so far,” said Allentown Coach Doug Hunt. “We’re at (the 2008) level or close to it.”
    Matt Novozinsky, Will Morris and C.J. Nafus have all graduated. Fortunately, Allentown does have back four of its seven top golfers.
    Mike Argondizza, a senior, returns in the top spot on the team. Argondizza placed fifth at The Meet of Champions last year.
    “He’s as good as anyone in the state, certainly anyone in Mercer County,” Hunt said.
    Nick Salemme, a senior that played in the second or third spot last season, is also back. So are Ben Lawrence and Chris Polvere, also seniors.
    Allentown has also been blessed this season with a strong group of new players.
    “From a competitive standpoint, we’ve looked really good,” said Hunt, who is starting his 27th season as the coach at Allentown High. “This is a good bunch of guys. I can’t wait to get to practice with these freshmen. They can’t wait to go. They come to play.”
    Hunt is a bit reluctant to start naming starters from a freshman class. Even so, Hunt said, “I have about seven or nine of these freshmen that can really play. I have a couple of them that look like starters.”
    Also in the mix for a spot on the team is Rob Dembinski, a senior out for the team for the first time.
    With several practice rounds still left to go before the season starts on April 1 in the Wall Invitational, Hunt has time to make the decisions on the roster.
    Whoever is in the lineup will get a chance to play in two very exclusive meets as Allentown was invited to participate in the Blue Devil Invitational on April 6 and the Garden State Cup on April 13.
    “We’re very excited about being invited to those events,” Hunt said.
    The same excitement is there for his team as well.
    “We’re looking good,” Hunt said. “I’m really looking forward to the season.”