Seven golfers are returning from the 7-15 team of last year.
By: Neil Hay
Before he and his team parted company for the summer last year, Hightstown High School golf coach Dominic Mastroianni implored his golfers to play over the summer and into the fall, to enter tournaments, to get a job at a golf course, to take lessons, anything related to golf to stay with the game and improve for the next season.
In fact, it was the same message Mastroianni delivered every year.
Well, next season is here. Alas, when the squad reformed for the 2003 campaign, Mastroianni quickly surmised that his words of last spring largely went unheeded.
"The experience is there," said Mastroianni, meaning that seven golfers are back from last year’s 7-15 team (4-13 in the CVC). The bad news is "the off-season playing time is not there. It’s probably been the same as the last couple of years."
With golf being such a difficult game, Mastroianni knows that improving is a matter of practice, practice, practice. For most of his players, however, the first time they touched a club in pre-season is the first time they picked up a club since the 2002 season ended. That just won’t cut it, especially against the highly competitive CVC.
"As the season goes along we should improve, but it could be too late. Our conference is excellent. (Every other team) has everyone back or they are reloading. They have kids who play year round, belong to clubs, get private lessons. Only (senior returnee) Matt Cox works at a golf course and gets extra time."
Joining Cox from last year’s holdovers are seniors Erik Franzo and Adam Tousant, and juniors Jeff Jaketic, Matt Lindbloom, Jason Loh and Divesh Mistry.
Two newcomers, juniors David Novak and Aiden Thornley, are vying for varsity playing time. Said Mastroianni, "Novak has a good chance to break into the starting six. Thornley could see some varsity time" as well.
Although they probably will not get into a varsity match, Mastroianni has five freshmen on the roster. They are the hope for the future of the program.
"I hope to keep them interested so that they will do something in the off-season. Having five freshmen out, that is a high number," said Mastroianni, who begins his ninth year when the Rams host Nottingham Tuesday at Peddie.