By: David Gurney
South Brunswick High School girls golf coach Joe Dougherty’s goal for the team was to get five golfers in the top 10 at the GMC Tournament held at Bunker Hill Golf Course last Thursday.
Well, four out of 8 ain’t bad either.
The Vikings placed four girls in the top eight, led by sophomore Samantha Chromey’s nine-over 45, but couldn’t get five in the top 10 in an impressive performance by the Vikings.
"Our goal going in was five in the top 10," Dougherty said. "I mean, did we achieve our goal, no. But do you ever set goals that aren’t achievable? No. It was tough, but it was achievable."
The top four scores for the Vikings totaled 185, by far the lowest of the three full teams participating, but falling short to J.P. Stevens, who do not have a girls team but had four golfers compete.
Stephanie Chen of J.P. Stevens, who is one of the top golfers on the Hawks’ boys team was the overall winner with a 42.
Chromey followed with her 45, while sophomore Autumn Yun tied with three other golfers for third with a 46.
Sophomore Tatiana Kim and junior Emily Clark rounded out the top eight with 47’s.
"Overall, I’m looking at it as a dual meet competition, and our top four scores equaled a 185, which is our lowest all season," Dougherty said. "We wanted to be the lowest score of four girls in the county, and we weren’t. J.P. Stevens beat us. However, we still shot well and responded nicely."
Chromey responded particularly well, nothing that shocks Dougherty or Chromey, as she played in last year’s tournament as a freshman and performed well.
"We should be shooting lowest scores of the year and Sam certainly shot one of her lowest of the season," Dougherty said. "She had four pars and a birdie, which is great. She played here as a freshman and we expect her to be at the top of the field. She’s confident and we’re confident in her."
Though Dougherty knew what he would get with Chromey, a pleasant surprise was the performance of Clark, who turned in her best round of the season.
"For her to come in with a 47, under that much pressure in a great stage, she just played out of her mind," Dougherty said. "She just had a phenomenal round of golf. I usually expect to have a sleeper. She responded to everything I try to preach to them, about performing under pressure."
Everything was going her way, from the short game to the long. Dougherty credits a comfortable environment and a sociable group that helped elevate Clark to a top 10 level.
"She had all the components going on and golfed at a decent tempo," Dougherty said. "She also golfed with a good group. She must have apparently liked that stage. She’s just a happy-go-lucky kid who likes to talk on the golf course. When she plays with girls who enjoy that banter, it bodes well for her."
Despite the strong season the team had, none of the players will be competing in the NJSIAA State Tournament.
Players have to achieve five marks of nine-over par or better over the course of the season to qualify, which no one had been able to do.
And the fact the state tournament just consists of those individuals instead of teams that qualify frustrates Dougherty.
"I think there should be a girls state tournament, and you qualify if you have four girls and the team score hits 195 or below five times," Dougherty said. "We don’t have a superstar, but as far as six girls, we have one of the better teams in state. But we can’t compete in the state tournament because there isn’t one."
