GOLF
By: David Gurney
A scheduling quirk and course availability has the Monroe Township High School boys golf team playing eight of its first nine matches at home at Forsgate Country Club.
Which makes it all the more imperative, according to head coach Pete LoPresti, that the Falcons take care of business on their home turf.
Well, so far it hasn’t been too much of a challenge, as Monroe won its opening three matches, all on its home course, to start the season a perfect 3-0 and take control of first place in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division.
After defeating Woodbridge and Perth Amboy earlier in the season, Monroe took down Red Division foe Old Bridge, 184-191, on April 11 at Forsgate.
The Falcons were paced by sophomore Sean Lawrence, who led the squad with a 45, and seniors Evan Jones and Greg Moyes, who both followed one stroke behind at 46. Junior Bryan Blank rounded out the top four with a 47.
"It was a good win for us," LoPresti said. "We were pretty solid all the way round. The conditions were tough, as was the case for everybody over the course of this young season, but we handled them well on our home course. And we received some solid play out of Bryan Blank from the middle of our lineup."
It was Moyes and Blank who were the difference, outscoring Old Bridge’s three and four golfers by a combined six strokes.
"Again, Bryan and Greg are guys we want to get into some rhythm so we can count on them for a certain number," LoPresti said. "The conditions were tough, cold and windy, but we were able to get a consistent round of golf from both. From the four, five and six spots, that’s what you’re looking for, consistency."
Moyes and Blank have been able to fortify a lineup that has had a little trouble at the top. Both Lawrence and Jones have had a difficult time getting into a groove (45 and 47, respectively, against Woodbridge), but it’s a problem LoPresti isn’t overly worried about.
"I think, in each contest, someone else has picked it up and played a solid round," LoPresti said. "We’re hoping to get Jones and Lawrence on a pretty good run because they’re pretty solid at the one-two, haven’t hit their stride yet.
"When they hit their rhythm, we can be a pretty decent team."
Meanwhile, the Falcons will continue their home dominance if they have any hope of capturing the White Division. With rival South Plainfield on the horizon, it becomes more and more important that Monroe generates some wins and momentum on its home turf.
"I thought we had a pretty good shot to start off the season well because of all the home matches," LoPresti said. "Our record is deceiving, but we’re not playing against the team, but rather against the course.
"But the record is the bottom line and we’re making some steady progress."