BRHS, NBC golf teams set for action

By: Kyle Moylan Sports Editor
    Despite coming off a 5-15 season, the Northern Burlington golfers have reason for optimism.
    Northern Burlington returns a solid one-two punch of Angelo Belardo (senior) and Ryan Richardson (junior). Both golfers usually shoot in the low 40’s and can even dip into the 30’s on a good day. Belardo even had enough good matches last season to qualify for the state tournament as an individual golfer.
    Northern Burlington, which is scheduled to open today at Moorestown, plays in a format where six golfers play and the top four scores count.
    “Last year we always seemed to get two or three decent scores and then that fourth score would knock us out,” noted Northern Burlington Coach Steve Malcolm, now in his fourth year.
    That shouldn’t be a problem this year. Brandon Capone, a junior, has played well in the pre-season and is pushing the top two guys. Seniors Lauren Mazurek and John Webster are also turning in consistently good results.
    Four other golfers are pushing for one of the six spots in the starting lineup. They are Joe Pezzulo (junior), Nick DeCarlo (sophomore), Kyle Haviland (sophomore) and Jacob Wainwright (freshman).
    “We should be competitive with everyone with the exception of Moorestown (Delran also looks difficult),” Malcolm said. “Our goal is to make the state tournament as a team (which requires winning 60 percent of the matches).”
    BRHS
    Despite losing several excellent golfers to graduation, the Bordentown High School golf team is expecting another good season.
    “Even with the losses of Richard Talbot, Chris Yanucil, Tommy Pittman and Matt McBride to graduation, I am still expecting to field a strong team,” said Bordentown Coach Frank Planas “We hope to improve upon last year’s record and have several players qualify for states.”
    The returning players on the team are seniors Robert Pina and Adam Swanson. The juniors are Michael Debnarik and Brandon Reimer. The sophomores are Donghyun Cha, Anthony D’Angelo and Russell Hill.
    “Russell Hill is averaging five-over par (very early) this pre-season,” Planas said. “He’s a solid all-around player, has excellent course management skills and displays great touch around the greens.”
    Newcomers to the team are Alicia Rivera (senior), Blasia Antinoro (junior), Nichole Chiszar (junior) and Joshua Fausti (freshman).
    The assistant coaches on the team are Mike Sullish, Chris Mallett, Ron Jones and Mary Jordan.
    Bordentown (9-7 last year, 7-5 division) opens the season with four of its six matches being away. Bordentown was scheduled to open the season yesterday (Wednesday) against Holy Cross. The team will also play away today (Thursday) against Burlington Township. Bordentown catches a little bit of a break because both of the matches will be played at Rancocas Golf Course. Bordentown will play Moorestown at the Field Club on Tuesday and against Cinnaminson on Wednesday at Riverton Country Club.
    Bordentown’s home opener will be Friday against New Egypt at Hanover Golf Course. Bordentown is also home on Monday to play Burlington City.