The Howell High School boys golf team’s quest for a fourth straight Shore Conference division title is off to a great start.
Howell headed into spring break this week with a 7-0 record in dual matches, with wins over Manalapan and Freehold Township, the two teams that figure to compete with the Rebels for the A North division title.
The Rebels no longer have Corey Carrick, whose victory at the NJSIAA Central/ South Jersey sectional led the Rebels to the state Tournament of Champions last year.
Carrick, who is now playing at Monmouth University, won the Monmouth County and Wall Invitational titles during his stellar scholastic career.
Howell, however, remains formidable because of its depth.
Returning at the top of the lineup are junior Rich Jakubowski and senior Billy Fitzpatrick, a four-year starter. They are twin pillars of this year’s team. Coach Tim Hogan is counting on them to shoot low scores.
Jakubowski and Fitzpatrick have proven themselves throughout their careers. They helped Howell win the Shore Conference Tournament team title two years ago.
Jakubowski, a three-year starter, is coming into his own this year. He has been shooting between 38 and 39 for nine holes at Howell Park (the Rebels’ home course; par 36).
The difference this year, Hogan said, is that Jakubowski is driving the ball straight. He is long off the tee and keeping the ball in the fairway has allowed him to post low scores.
At the season-opening Wall Invitational, Jakubowski tied for 10th place in leading Howell to a fourth place finish in the team standings.
“Rich doesn’t let anything bother him,” Hogan said. “He is able to put a bad shot behind him. He has a world of potential.” Fitzpatrick brings significant experience to the lineup as a four-year starter and has a solid all-around game, according to his coach. Like Jakubowski, Fitzpatrick can hit the ball a long way off the tee.
Fitzpatrick won the Freehold Regional High School District title in 2010. He finished in a tie for 14th place at the recent Wall Invitational.
Seniors Jared Eisenberg and Brandon Hofmann are back from the team that qualified for the Tournament of Champions in 2010. They have a wealth of experience at the highest level and have steady games.
Howell’s fifth starter is Rebecca Gaona, who is one of the Shore Conference’s best female golfers and one of the better female golfers in the state. Gaona tied for 14th place at the Wall Invitational.
“She is hitting the ball well off the tee,” Hogan said.
Junior Mike Kochenash and sophomores Rob Don and Josh Friedman, who appear to be the future of the team, will get some playing time in this year.
Howell’s goals are to retain the A North public schools title (Christian Brothers Academy, a private school, is the favorite to claim the overallANorth crown) and to win the state sectional crown. The Rebels finished second at the state sectional meet in 2010.
At the April 14 Monmouth County Championships played at Hominy Hill Golf Course, Colts Neck, the Rebels led all Freehold Regional High School District teams with their seventh place finish (338). Freehold Township was 10th (351).
Fitzpatrick carded an 81 for low score among local golfers and tied for 12th place. Eisenberg tied for 23rd after shooting an 84; Hofmann tied for 34th after shooting an 86; and Gaona shot an 87 and tied for 39th place.
The 2011 Shore Conference Championships are scheduled for April 28 at Sea Oaks Country Club, Little Egg Harbor.