2018 Reporter/Times Herald Golf Preview
Dominic Frassinelli takes over in his first season as coach at North Penn, aiming for an upward climb in the tough Suburban One League Continental Conference.
“It feels like any moment, any one in the starting lineup can fire a great number,” Frassinelli said of his squad. “I’m anticipating a great season and for us to be very competitive in the Suburban One.”
Pennridge and Souderton Area are coming on strong in the Continental.
Said Rams coach Steve Yurchak: “After a tough season a year ago, we will try to continue to build the program this year and for the future.”
Meanwhile, over in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, Methacton is rounding into form.
“Senior John Haley will take on a more solidified varsity role this year and juniors Nick Martin and Mitch Thompson will be relied on heavily as the year progresses,” Warriors coach Kevin Flanagan said. “Sophomores Jeff Cooper, Jason Rieger and Sean Cooper will have larger roles this year as they compete for varsity spots.
“We hope to continue our success and make the final four and compete for a PAC 10 championship.”
The Mount St. Joseph’s girls are ones to watch in the Catholic Academies League.
“Outlook and goals for the season are first to establish a strong and positive team culture where we have positive energy in playing and supporting one another to improve one another’s golf game,” coach John Mischler said.
“If we can achieve this, then we put ourselves in the best position we can to win the AACA League, get as many players as we can to be AACA All-Stars, prepare ourselves to perform well at districts so we can get another shot at winning the PIAA Girls State Tournament.”
Mount also has some new faces.
“We gained five new players this year who appear to have a high level of excitement and skill to help us this upcoming season,” Mischler said. “So we look forward to welcoming them onto the team and helping them continue to develop and improve their golf games.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Archbishop Wood
Coach: Bob Schmalbach (36th season).
Last year’s record: 5-7.
Key performers lost: Grant Boyk, Shane Kennedy.
Key returners: Evan McGeever, Jr.; Tommy Hill, Jr.; Tyler Thornton, Jr.; Jim Casper, Jr.
Others to watch: Chaela Barnett, Fr.; Tim Newman, Fr.; Mike Knouse, Fr.
Outlook for the season: “Cautiously optimistic, only one senior but experience with five players who saw action in PCL Champs last year.”
Home course: Warminster’s 5-Ponds Golf Course.
Dock Mennonite
Coach: Cory Longacre (fifth season).
Last year’s record: 2-10.
Key performers lost: Sam Thompson.
Key returners: Kurt Clemens, Sr.; Brody Moyer, Sr.; Davry Longacre, Jr.; Calvin Derstein, Jr.
Coach Longacre says: “We’re looking to be .500 for the season and have two or three players qualify for districs.”
Home course: Mainland Golf Course.
Germantown Academy
Coach: David Martin (8th season).
Last year’s record: 35.
Key performers lost: Ted Davis.
Key returners: Nick Schnur, Sr.
Others to watch: Dante Messina, Jr.; Eric Lafond, Jr.; Colin McDonald, So.
Coach Martin says: “We are excited to work with a young and talented team.”
Home course: Bluestone Country Club and Sunnybrook Golf Club.
Lansdale Catholic
Coach: Scott Murphy (first season).
Last year: District 12-3A Champs.
Key performers lost: Rob Schimony, Brendan Clark.
Key returners: Ben Romen, Sr.; Dan Clark, Sr.
Others to watch: Jack Remeo, Fr.; Jack Ferko, Fr.; Kevin Boccella, Fr.
Coach Murphy says: “Looks to be a promising season, with a sprinkling of freshmen in the mix.”
Home Course: Old York Road Country Club.
La Salle
Coach: Martin Jackson (28th season).
Last year’s record: 25-1.
Key performers lost: Buddy Hansen, Tim Lorenzo, T.J. Chaykosky, Ryan O’Neill.
Key returners: Matt Law, Sr.; Frankie Gregor, Sr.; Steve Lorenzo, Jr.; Griffin Caulfield, Jr.
Others to watch: Matt Lafond, Jr.; Corey Haydu, So.
Coach Jackson says: “I’m excited about our team. We have talented golfers returning and added some solid players. We will have fierce in-house competition.
Home courses: Whitemarsh and North Hills.
Methacton
Coach: Kevin Flanagan (12th season).
Last year’s record: 10-2.
Key losses: Christian Rossi, John Cooper.
Key returners: A.J. Thomas, Sr.; Dylan Lasecki, Sr.; Andrew Catania, Sr.; Nick Martin, Jr.; Mitch Thompson, Jr.; John Haley, Sr.; Jeff Cooper, So.; Jason Rieger, So.; Sean Cooper, So.
Home course: Skippack Golf Club.
Coach Flanagan says: “Team has a good core of players returning to varsity this year, including seniors A.J. Thomas, Dylan Lasecki and Andrew Catania, who all had big roles last year.”
North Penn
Coach: Dominic Frassinelli (first season).
Last year’s record: 3-11.
Key performers lost: Minjoo Kim.
Key returners: Shane Herb, Sr.; Tyler Schulze, Sr.; Josie Genuardi, Sr.; Colin Hoy, Sr.; Jack Harrigan, Sr.; Christian Romano, Sr.
Others to watch: Dom Della Penna, So.; Justin Pileggi, Fr.; Chris LaRosa, Fr.; Quinn Marett, Fr.
Coach Frassinelli says: “We have a strong group of freshmen paired with seasoned veterans.”
Home course: PineCrest Country Club.
Pennridge
Coach: Steve Yurchak (second season).
Last year’s record: 3-12, 0-12 SOL Continental.
Key performers lost: Mike Simpson, Cole White, Nick Accaro.
Key returners: Caroline McFadden, Sr.; Christian Guldin, Jr.; Brendan Bauer, So.; Connor Fritsch, So.; Blake Stewart, So.
Others to watch: Sean Kearny, Sr.; Declan Larson, Sr.; Ashley Ea, So.; Jack Lenox, So.
Coach Yurchak says: “A strong turnout of over 30 golfers, including numerous underclassmen, has filled the Rams with optimism. The varsity will have five players in ninth or 10th grade and will also have Dock transfer Sean Kearney in the lineup.”
Home Course: Indian Valley Country Club.
Souderton
Coach: Fred Cicacci.
Key returners: Thomas Butler; James O’Malley; Stephen Butler; Justin Panner; Evan Bohmueller; Liam Kreag; Young Lee; Helen Shaw.
Outlook for the season: Big Red should be a force in the tough SOL Continental.
William Tennent
Key returners: Stephen Skiba; Ryan Foley; Charlie Molzahn.
Outlook: The Panthers have some pieces to build around as they look to make a move in the SOL National.
Wissahickon
Coach: Kevin Brady (third season).
Last year’s record: 10-5.
Key returners: Christea Park; Jackosn Tappen; Christian Lee; Eshan Jutori; David Evans; Sam Barsh.
Others to watch: Christian Matt.
Coach Brady says: “Looking for Christea Park and Jackson Tappen to lead the way this year.”
Home Course: Blue Stone Country Club and Cedarbrook Country Club.
GIRLS
Gwynedd Mercy Academy
Coach: Rick Pohle (second season).
Last year’s record: 7-5.
Key performers lost: Jamie Kim.
Key returners: Michaela Hansen, Sr.; Sara Cook, Sr.; Julie Frary, Sr.; Reganne Flannery, Jr.; Maggie Fluehr, Jr.
Others to watch: Chloe Hansen, Sr.; Emma Fiore, Jr.; Molly Gregor, Fr.; Liz Held, Jr.; Lindsey Fogarasi, Sr.
Coach Pohle says: “We have tremendous depth this year with the return of captain Lindsey Fogarasi from an injury, the addition of several experienced players who were not on the roster a year ago, a number of young players who played a lot last season and first year player Molly Gregor. I anticipate we will be greatly improved from last year and hoping for postseason play in October.”
Home course: Blue Bell Country Club.
Mount St. Joseph
Coach: John Mischler (third season).
Last year’s record: 14-0.
Key performers lost: Maya Trujillo, Grace Quinones, Olivia Brogan, Ciara Morrissey.
Key returners: Brianna Mahon, Sr.; Olivia Wirsching, Jr.; Clare Gimpel, So.; Lia Priolo, Sr.
Coach Mischler says: “Excited about our strong group of sophomores who will be given the opportunity to help our team. Juniors Sarah Spears and Jill Baum have continued to improve their golf game so we expect them to contribute to our team’s success this season.”
Home course: Philadelphia Cricket Club.
