Bishop Eustace
CRUSADERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bishop Eustace brings back almost the entire roster from 2016, including junior Drew Skultety, who shot an 82 at the Camden County Championships to finish fifth. He was also the Crusaders’ top finisher at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament with an 87. The talented junior class also features Peyton Vostenak and Dylan Laucks, and Dave Batastini is a key senior. Andrew Pietrangelo will also look to crack the top five along with fellow juniors Brad Patterson and Luke Wagner.
OUTLOOK: With most of their top golfers return- ing, the Crusaders are likely to improve on last year’s 5-9 record and remain in the top five at the county tournament.
Camden Catholic
FIGHTING IRISH
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Camden Catholic graduated several talented golfers but is excited about the return of senior Tom Paolini, the team’s top finisher at the Camden County Championships with an 89. He also carded an 88 at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament. The Irish will also lean heavily on senior Greg Delcolombo during match play. Other returners are senior Liam Riley, juniors CJ Kozempel and John Pfisterer and sophomore Braeden McHugh.
OUTLOOK: The Irish posted a 7-9-1 record and took sixth at the county tournament. They’ll aim for a winning record in 2017 under new head coach Nick Strom.
Cherokee
CHIEFS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherokee only graduated one golfer and has a strong core highlighted by junior Louis Morici, who tied for fourth at the Olympic Conference Tournament with a six-over par 78 at Ramblewood Country Club. He also was theChiefs’ highest finisher at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament with an 85 and shot an 87 at sectionals. Other senior leaders are Jake Dolan, who carded an 80 at the conference tournament and an 84 at sectionals, and Jaden Bell, who led the Chiefs at sectionals with an 81. Sophomore Max Rubin consistently shot in the low 40s during match play, and other talented returners are senior Keval Patel and juniors Kiry Mompho and Brad Bolger.
OUTLOOK: The Chiefs are primed to contend for a winning record after finishing 8-9 and taking fourth at sectionals last year. Morici, Dolan and Bell will all be players to watch at the major tournaments.
Cherry Hill East
COUGARS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherry Hill East lost some key golfers to graduation but has a pair of promising returners at the top of the line-up in junior Noah Kaminer and sophomore David Gibson. Kaminer carded a 91 at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament. Sophomore Bailey Cummins showed potential as a rookie and could emerge as a top golfer.
OUTLOOK: After posting a 7-11 record last year, the Cougars hope to develop a strong foundation behind Kaminer and Gibson.
Cherry Hill West
LIONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherry Hill West saw its top five golfers from last year graduate, so the lineup will clearly have a new look. John Leyres is a key senior and sophomores Brendan Desjardins and Jake Marrazzo showed promise as rookies. Katherine Chase and Rachel Lee are other sophomores who hope to contribute.
OUTLOOK: This looks like a rebuilding year for the Lions, who should make great progress throughout the season.
Clearview
PIONEERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Clearview can’t wait for spring to arrive thanks to a loaded roster that features four different players who won an least one individual tournament championship last year. Leading the way is senior Shea Wolfle, whose sectional championship at Linwood Country Club was just one of his several highlights in 2016. Wolfle went on to place 10th at the Meet of Champions and also won the Gloucester County title by five strokes and tied for third at the Tri-County Conference Tournament. Senior Billy Edwards was the champion of the prestigious Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament, beating a field of 213 golfers by three strokes with an even-par 72 at Valleybrook. He also tied for third in the conference and placed 18th at sectionals. Sophomore Gage Wolfle, Shea’s younger brother, was the Tri-County champ and tied for second in the county tour- nament as a rookie. Junior Theresa Luu repeated as the Tri-County girls champion and other talented returners are senior Jacob Diggons and juniors Joe Giumarello and Ronin Costello. Freshman Emily Luu, Theresa’s sister, will also look to make an impact.
OUTLOOK: The Pioneers went 13-2 in a remarkable 2016 season and took second at sectionals, earning a trip to states for the first time, where they placed fourth. They were also Tri-County Conference and Gloucester County champions. With most of the top golfers back, this should be another special season.
Eastern
VIKINGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Rahil Patel leads a strong core for Eastern after placing third at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament and fourth at the Camden County Tournament. He should contend at the major tournaments in his final season. JuniorJoel Hark is another key returner who carded an 80 at Carl Arena and an 83 at the county tournament. Junior Justin Choi, who shot 83 at Carl Arena, rounds out the outstanding top three. Other contributors include seniors Eric Lippincott and Jaymin Kang and junior Justin Lancaster.
OUTLOOK: The Vikings captured the Camden County team title and finished with a 12-7 record. They have the potential to repeat as county champs and have several golfers who will leave their mark at the top tournaments.
Gloucester Catholic
RAMS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Chris Colman is back as the No. 1 golfer for Gloucester Catholic and is primed for a strong final season. He carded an 85 at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament and also had solid performances at the Camden County and Tri-County Conference tournaments. Junior Matt Masiejczyk is another talented returner who shot 90 at the conference tournament. Senior leaders include Eddie Wiechecki, Mike Nuss, Brad Mulholland and Dan Mulholland. Sophomores Colin Schumacher and Brandon Popileck are other returners expected to contribute.
OUTLOOK: The Rams went 10-3 overall and finished second to Pitman in the Tri-County Conference Classic Division. They look like division con- tenders again with Colman leading the charge.
Haddonfield
BULLDAWGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Haddonfield’s talented nucleus includes senior Mary McGuiness, who took sixth place overall and first among the female golfers at last year’s Colonial Conference Tournament. She also carded an 83 at the Camden County Tournament and a 92 at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament, and took second at the South Jersey Ladies Invitational. Rees Kirk is another senior leader and sophomores Finn McGarry and Brian Pelose will look to build on promising rookie seasons. Other key returners are senior Jack Webb, junior David Doyle and sophomore Jake Armstrong.
OUTLOOK: The Bulldawgs broke in a new varsity lineup in 2016 and still managed a 13-3 record. Expect another winning season in which they contend for the Colonial Conference title.
Kingsway
DRAGONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kingsway graduated its top two golfers but has a talented senior to lead the way in Mike Moss. He carded a 90 at the Gloucester County Open and a 91 at the Tri-County Conference Tournament. Senior Carlee Bellapigna has finished second among female golfers at the Gloucester County Open two years in a row and is another strong competitor. Sophomore David Sladek showed potential as a freshman, and other possible contributors are senior Frank Sullivan, juniors Jack Costanzo and Jack Gable and sophomores Peter Bernardino and Brandon DeLuca.
OUTLOOK: The Dragons posted an 11-8 record and placed sixth in the county last year. They hope to contend for a winning record again this spring if the lineup fills out behind Moss.
Lenape
INDIANS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although Lenape graduated one outstanding golfer in Erica Han, another one returns in senior Adam Hoversen. He carded a 79 during the sectional tournament at Linwood Country Club to advance to the Tournament of Champions. He also had a 79 to tie for third at the Burlington County Open and shot an 81 at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament. Another key returner is junior Doug Ergood, who had a breakout season last spring. He was Lenape’s top finisher at Carl Arena with a 79 and shot an 81 at sectionals. The lineup behind Hoversen and Ergood is also strong, including seniors Leo Christou, Joe Ergood, Joe Nuneviller and Sean Donnelly and sophomore Matt Thomas. Juniors Ryan Barley and Sam Greenebaum are newcomers hoping to have an impact.
OUTLOOK: The Indians’ 16-2 season featured a share of the Olympic Conference American Division title and a fifth-place finish at sectionals. This is shaping up as another successful year on the links.
Moorestown
QUAKERS (BOYS)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Moorestown suffered big losses to graduation, including Burlington County Player of the Year Sean O’Sullivan and sectional champion Brett Seifreid. But there is still a talented core in place led by senior Shravann Raja, who tied for 11th place at sectionals with an 86 and carded a 79 at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament. Sophomore Akhil Giri enjoyed a strong rookie campaign, as he was Moorestown’s top finisher at Carl Arena in14th place and shot an 89 at sectionals. Senior Matt Gerber is also a talented player at the top of the lineup and other valuable returners are seniors John Hernick, Joe Tallavachia and Devin Trivedi and sophomore Griffin Conroy.
OUTLOOK: The Quakers’ many accomplishments in 2016 included the South/Central Group III sectional championship and titles at the Burlington County Open and the Burlington County Scholastic League Open. They also went 14-2 overall and undefeated in the BCSL Liberty Division. Although it will be hard to repeat that success, they have high expectations again this spring.
Moorestown
QUAKERS (GIRLS)
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Moorestown has a lot of potential after graduating just one player from last year’s team. One of the top returners is junior Rose Litt, who took ninth place at the South Jersey Ladies Invitational and was her team’s top finisher at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament with a 92. Sophomore Lia Hogg had a promising freshman season and took fifth at the South Jersey Ladies Invitational, just three strokes off the lead. Litt and Hogg led Moorestown to the team trophy at the Ladies Invitational. Megan Duman leads a group of senior leaders that also includes Katelyn Bigley and Holly Keifer, and other key returners are junior Emma Mueller and sophomores Catherine Dare, Lauren Chen, Hannah Corbin and Isabel Perham.
OUTLOOK: With most of the squad back in the fold, the Quakers have a chance to improve on last year’s 11-5 record.
Moorestown Friends
FOXES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Alec Ryden put together a strong freshman season and will look to build on it this spring for Moorestown Friends. Ryden landed on the all-Friends League first team and consistently shot in the low 40s during match play. Senior Ian Bucci is also a talented golfer at the top of the lineup and Charles Kropiewnicki is another senior leader. Juniors Calum Boone and Matthew Granito are also expected to contribute.
OUTLOOK: The Foxes have the potential to improve on last year’s 4-7 record with Ryden and Bucci leading the way.
Paul VI
EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Joe Polidoro was consistently solid during match play and the major tournaments in 2016 and leads the returners for Paul VI. He carded an 80 at the Camden County Tournament to place third, and was also the Eagles’ top finisher at sectionals and the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament. Junior Rich Venuto is another tough competitor who shot an 86 at Carl Arena, one stroke behind Polidoro. Key seniors include Ryan Risse, Logan Fanrak, Christian Haydinger, Patrick Bakey, Mike Everett, Teddy Jablonski, Bobby Fitzgerald and Dominic Lepone. Sophomores Jay Choi and Rob Colleluori will also contribute.
OUTLOOK: With most of the top golfers back from a team that went 5-9 and took fifth in the county tournament, all signs are pointing up for the Eagles.
Seneca
GOLDEN EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sophomore Scott Warner enjoyed a solid freshman campaign and will be one of the top golfers this spring for Seneca. He was the team’s top finisher at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament with a 92 and was also consistent during match play. Returning players with varsity experience in match play include senior Dan Ford and junior Ricky Witten. Promising newcomers are freshman Jake Meyer and sophomore Sean Casey.
OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles have a promising roster and hope to improve on last year’s 4-17 record.
Shawnee
RENEGADES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Shawnee has a deep and talented crop of golfers that includes senior Evan McNally, who has a chance to be one of the top competitors in South Jersey. As a junior, McNally took second at the prestigious Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament with a 75 at Valleybrook Country Club. He also placed fifth at sectionals—earning a trip to states—and tied for third at the Olympic Conference Tournament. Senior Chris Warner, who took 10th at Carl Arena with a 78 and shot an 80 at sectionals, was Shawnee’s No. 1 golfer last year but broke his elbow during winter track. He hopes to be back at some point this spring. Junior Kyle Quagliero also had strong showings at the Carl Arena and sectional tournaments, and senior Jack Sterbenz carded a 77 at the Burlington County Open at Little Mill. Junior Todd Minshall returns to the top five as well, and senior Cameron Wagner is another contributor.
OUTLOOK: The Renegades posted a 16-2 overall record and shared the Olympic Conference American Division title in 2016. They also just missed a trip to states with a third-place finish at sectionals. Look for big things out of this group this season.
St. Augustine
HERMITS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Connor Siefried leads a talented core for St. Augustine after taking second at sectionals last year with a 77 at Mountain View Golf Course, just two strokes off the lead. Siefried, who moved on to states, also placed 11th at the Cape- Atlantic League Tournament. Sophomore Jonathan Prussel is another strong competitor who was the Hermits’ top finisher at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament with an 80. He also carded an 86 at sectionals to take sixth. Tyler Booth is a junior expected to contribute and sophomore Michael DeLong is a sophomore who showed potential as a freshman.
OUTLOOK: The Hermits’ excellent 2016 campaign featured a 15-1 record, the Cape-Atlantic League American Conference title and a second-place performance at sectionals to advance to states. Look for more of the same this season.
Washington Township
MINUTEMEN
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jake Hanzel, one of the most respected golfers in South Jersey, is back to lead Washington Township in his senior season. Last year, he was a contender at most of the major tournaments, as he placed fourth at sectionals to advance to states, took second at the Gloucester County Tournament and tied for sixth at the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Tournament. Hanzel also averaged 37.6 during match play. Lucas Kunkel is another key senior who placed in the top 10 at the county tournament, and Jake Agostino is being counted on for senior leadership as well. Sophomore James Donnolly was at the top of the lineup as a rookie and should only get better with a year of experience. Freshman Matt Hanzel, Jake’s little brother, is expected to have an immediate impact and sophomore Matt Davis will push for a varsity spot.
OUTLOOK: The Minutemen went 17-3 overall, earned a share of the Olympic Conference American Division title and tied for sixth at sectionals. They also won the Carl Arena team championship and placed second in the county, as their six-year run of titles was halted by Clearview. They should be in contention for division and county crowns again and it will be interesting to see the elder Hanzel compete for individual championships.
To see all of the spring golf schedules, click here.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 11 (January, 2016).
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