Mercury-Area Boys Golf Preview Capsules
BOYERTOWN
Coach: Mark Takacs, 30th year.
Home course: Hickory Valley.
Last year’s record: 4-5 PAC-10, 4-5 overall.
Players to watch: Kyle Green (Sr.), Connor Fellin (Sr.), James Gassner (Sr.).
Outlook: Green was a district qualifier and second-team all-conference selection last season. The Bears are an interesting mix of veterans and inexperienced varsity players. Takacs is optimistic. “We have a good core of kids coming back from last year’s team who will establish the top of the line-up,” he said. “One good thing is that overall we are a young team with the opportunity to improve every day.”
DANIEL BOONE
Coach: Rich Simmons, second year.
Home course: Arrowhead Blue.
Last year’s record: 3-4-1 Berks, 7-5- 1 overall.
Players to watch: Colin Gabbett (Jr.), Brandon Kleinert (Sr.), Dylan Sacks (Sr.).
Outlook: Third-year varsity member and all-Berks performer Gabbett is joined by fourth-year player Kleinert and a solid group overall, including some new team members. This squad has a competitive look heading into a balanced division.
METHACTON
Coach: Kevin Flanagan, ninth year.
Home course: Skippack Golf Club.
Last year’s record: 7-1 PAC-10, 11-1 overall.
Players to watch: Kyle Vance (Sr.), Dan Rieger (Sr.), Gunner Gale (Sr. ), Connor McCaffrey (Sr.), Max Rennie (Sr.).
Outlook: The Warriors are coming off a third straight PAC-10 title, and despite losing three seniors they have a good shot at a four-peat. Vance won his second District One title and was All-Area Player of the Year again. Rieger joined him on the all-PAC- 10 first team and as a state qualifier. “Losing three seniors hurts, especially considering how deep some of the PAC teams are,” Flanagan said.
NORRISTOWN
Coach: Ian Morris, 12th year.
Home course: Jeffersonville Golf Club.
Last year’s record: 0-14 Suburban One League-American, 1-14 overall.
Players to watch: Caleb Ryan (So.), Matt Piccari (Sr.), Dylan Copestick (Sr.)
Outlook: Entering a new league, Morris expects some growing pains for the younger players. Morris thinks Ryan, who transferred from Methacton, has the potential to be one of the league’s top players.
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Coach: Ted Snyder, 15th year.
Home course: Kimberton
Last year’s record: 8-1 PAC-10, 11-2 overall.
Players to watch: Ward McHenry (Jr.), Tommy Opitz (Sr.) Matt Folk (Sr.).
Outlook: Lost first-team all-PAC- 10 player Maddie Sager to graduation but return three district qualifiers in McHenry, Opitz and Folk. McHenry was first-team all-league. Wildcats lost to Methacton for the second straight year in the conference finals, and by only two strokes, so they’re stoked. “We hope to contend for the PAC title,” Snyder says.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Coach: Tavio Hunsicker, third year.
Home course: Raven’s Claw Golf Club.
Last year’s record: 4-4 PAC-10, 6-4 overall.
Players to watch: Dallen Hall (Sr.), Jared Hanson (Sr.), Brian Christman (Sr.), Thomas Lombardo (Jr.).
Outlook: PV lost some key seniors like first-team all-PAC- 10 choice Nate Guerrini, but a group with potential returns as Hunsicker focuses on consistent improvement. “We hope to be competitive in every match,” he said. “The league will be very competitive again this year.”
PHOENIXVILLE
Coach: Stephen Winnick, 15th year.
Home course: Pickering Valley Golf Course.
Last year’s record: 3-5 PAC-10, 4-9 overall.
Players to watch: Michael Ellis (Sr.), Max Farbstein (Sr.), Kyle Syrek (Sr.), Shawn Fowler (Sr.).
Outlook: The Phantoms return everybody. Winnick is looking for a consistent No. 1 player, and he and his staff are optimistic over the returning experience and the addition of some promising players.
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Coach: Tony Romano, fifth year.
Home course: Landis Creek Golf Course
Last year’s record: 6-3 PAC-10, 9-4 overall.
Key players: J.T. Spina (Jr.), Michael Limongelli (Sr.), David Antoniuk (Jr.), Matt Grimm (Sr.), James Poot (Sr.).
Outlook: Spina (first-team all-PAC- 10 and conference runner-up) and Limongelli (second-team all-PAC- 10) helped lead PJP to its first playoff appearance last season. Repeating that team performance will require David Antoniuk, Matt Grimm and James Poot to have strong seasons as well. “The league looks strong, as usual, but I think with our starting lineup we should be competitive among the perennial league powers again this season,” Romano says.
POTTSGROVE
Coach: Don Petrella, eighth year.
Home course: Blackwood Golf Course.
Last year’s record: 0-8 PAC-10, 0-11 overall.
Key players: Corey Peterman (Sr.), Spencer Mitchell (Sr.), George Crock (Sr.)
Outlook: Better participation numbers and talent are moving the program in a positive direction. Petrella is “very excited about the direction we are going in.” He says it will take time for the wins to come, but there’s a strong sense of team building. “We have character kids and young talent,” Petrella said.
SPRING-FORD
Coach: Jeff Mast, 30th year.
Home course: Turtle Creek.
Last year’s record: 7-1 PAC-10, 9-2 overall.
Players to watch: Ben Pochet (Jr.), Chase Armor (Sr.), Connor Boham (Sr.), Jon Lumley (So.).
Outlook: Pochet was first-team all-conference, a fifth-place finisher in the District 1 tournament and a state qualifier. Armor, Boham and Lumley were second-team all-PAC-10. That’s a lot of experience and production. The Rams certainly could be a threat to Methacton’s recent grip on the league crown.
UPPER MERION
Coach: James Baxter, eighth year.
Home course: Gulph Mills and Westover
Last year’s record: 2-11 Suburban One League-American, 2-11 overall.
Players to watch: Will Helenski (Sr.), Martin Crowe (Sr.), Alex Kvetan (Sr.), Brandon Higgins (Jr.), Mike Strycharz (Jr.).
Outlook: Coming over from the Suburban One League, Upper Merion will find itself with a big challenge right off the first tee. Experience gained over the past couple seasons, Baxter feels, should help with the transition.
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Head coach: John Brittain, 15th year.
Home Course: Macoby Run
Last year’s record: 1-7 PAC-10, 2-11 overall.
Players to watch: Anthony Boyle (Sr.), Addisen Miller (Sr.), Joe Greco (Sr.), Brett Miller (So.), Deion Doperak (So.).
Team Outlook: With 7 of the top 8 players back, Upper Perk has strong hope to be more competitive. “The PAC is loaded with talented teams this season, so wins will be hard to come by for this group. Improvement is the goal,” Brittain said.
