After only having four days outside to practice, none of which were ‘complete days,? according to Head Coach Terry Kelley. He isn’t sure what to expect from this year’s Boys Varsity Golf Team.
‘I couldn’t tell you,? Kelley said. ‘We lost four good seniors last year off of a very a good team, one of the best we’ve had in a long time.?
By the end of this week he should have a better idea. The boys will be competing in the Lapeer Tune-up on Friday at the Metamora Golf and Country Club.
‘We’ll find out something about what we have right off the bat,? Kelley said. ‘I don’t expect them to be on a par with last year’s team, but I’m hoping those who did play in the summer have improved and I’m hoping we get all of our players back before long.
The only remaining player from last year’s starting five is senior Matthew Prince, who Kelley said will be ‘very good.?
‘He has pretty high expectations and I think they’re well founded,? he added. ‘He’s a very steady player and a good leader, good model for the kids coming up.?
After Prince, Kelley said he can’t really rank the rest of boys. However, he did point out that senior Drew Pappas who was on varsity last year, is probably his second best player, but is currently ineligible and won’t be with them for at least the first week.
‘I hope he’ll be back this year,? he said.
Senior Logan Scott another returning varsity player is currently having a ‘rough time with his swing,? according to Kelley.
‘He has an unusual swing. Those always take a little while in the spring to come back, so he’s struggling with that right now,? he said. ‘He could also turn out to be one of our better players.?
Senior Matt Ottoy is a returning player who was cut from varsity last year
‘His game has improved a lot,? Kelley said. ‘So we were able to keep him this year.?
There were also some strong players from junior varsity that were brought up.
Senior Vincent Mancini ‘had some pretty good rounds last year,? Kelley noted and expects he will be one of his top three or four players. He also mentioned Senior Michael Kamm has been ‘steady as anybody in early practice sessions.?
‘Senior Jake Delong will probably start the season as my number two player,? Kelley said. ‘I think he had some of the best rounds on JV last year.?
Senior Jacob Reed is another ‘strong hitter,? coming from JV. ‘He needs to work on his short game a little, but when he gets that going I think he’s going to help (us),? Kelley added.
Last but not least is sophomore Matt Dun.
‘Obviously he has some skills already,? Kelley pointed out. ‘Otherwise we wouldn’t have brought him to varsity.?
The strength of the team ‘remains to be seen,? in the eyes of Kelley.
‘Our captain (Prince) is a strong player, but that will not carry a team,? he said. ‘Other than that, the boys are experienced, but they’re experienced at the junior varsity level and there is a big step up to playing varsity.?
Like any team, the golfers hope to succeed in their sport, but character development remains a high priority.
‘The growth of the boys is important to us,? Kelley said. ‘This is a kind of game where character is very important, so we help to build upon what they already have.?