2020 Mercury-Area Boys Golf Preview

BOYERTOWN

Head coach: Mark Takacs, 34th year.

Last year’s record: 6-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Players to watch: John Engle, Sr.; Carmen Rosselli, Sr.; Brandon Staniszewski, Sr.; Michael Fenton, Jr.; Peyton Moyer, Jr.; Josh Bardley, So.

Outlook: Engle qualified for the state tournament his junior year, after tying for sixth place in the 2019 PAC tournament, tying for 10th at districts and making the cut in the PIAA Class 3A Eastern Regional. He was accorded first-team honors on the All-PAC and Mercury All-Area teams. … “As always,” Takacs said, “I go into the season a bit optimistic. We have a number of upperclassman that are coming out for the first time. There are a lot of unanswered questions going forward. It is going to be a challenging season with everything changing around us. I just want to give the kids something to remember and hope we all can put a lot of the world’s uncertainty behind us and just concentrate on having fun, playing good golf and learn something along the way. I would hope, with that being said, that we can be competitive with some other teams in the league.”

DANIEL BOONE

Head coach: Ian West, second year.

Last year’s record: 9-5 Berks League and overall.

Players to watch: Braylon Kuhn, Sr.; Davis Myer, Sr.; Chase Ring, Sr.; Kyle Vonderlinden, Sr.; Colton Yenser, Sr.; Kole Washleski, Jr.

Outlook: Yenser was runner-up in the 2019 Berks County tournament and qualified for the PIAA competition. He was also named first team on The Mercury All-Area team. … “The lineup returns five senior starters from last season plus a quality transfer in Washleski,” West said. “This season, both Yenser and the team look to capture the individual and team championship respectively.”

METHACTON

Head coach: Kevin Flanagan, 14th year.

Last year’s record: 9-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 11-2 overall.

Players to watch: Jeff Cooper, Sr.; Andrew Lasecki, Sr.; Jason Reiger, Sr.; Mike Liu, Jr.; Colin Meyer, Jr.; Elliott Meyer, Jr.; Bobby Kleckner, So.

Outlook: Cooper, who placed eighth in the 2019 PAC Individual Tournament, was first team All-PAC and Mercury All-Area. He is Methacton’s highest-finishing returner. … The Warriors repeated as the PAC’s team champion in 2019 by topping Spring-Ford in the league’s title match, 198-203. Methacton has won eight of the past 10 team championships, the Rams breaking into their streak with titles in 2012 and 2017. … Both teams had 9-1 match records during the regular season. … “With only three varsity returners, we will look to some new golfers to step in and contribute in a large way,” Flanagan said. “Hopefully, we can make a run to the Final Four.” … Team’s home course is Skippack Golf Club.

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Head coach: Ted Snyder, 21st year.

Last year’s record: 7-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Players to watch: Victor Mominey, Jr.; Nick Parr, Jr.; Stefania Fedun, So.

Outlook: Fedun was an All-PAC girls first team pick in 2019, as well as second team Mercury All-Area as a freshman. … At present, Snyder noted his team has gotten only one practice session in due to a number of situations preventing it from getting out on the course. “We’re hoping to play our first match, and all eight on our schedule,” he said. “We’re going to play to be competitive. The same schools in the league are competitive again.”

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Head coach: Tavio Hunsicker, seventh year.

Last year’s record: 7-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 8-5 overall.

Players to watch: Jack Colyer, Jr.; Chris Cowgill, Jr.; Ryan Horenci, Jr.

Outlook: Horenci is the Vikings’ top returning performer. He tied for ninth place in the 2019 PAC Individual Tournament, was a second-team All-PAC selection and accorded Honorable Mention on The Mercury All-Area team. … “Our goal is to improve throughout the season and we hope to be competitive in every match in a very competitive league,” Hunsicker said.

PHOENIXVILLE

Head coach: Rob Winnick, 20th year.

Last year’s record: 6-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 6-5 overall.

Players to watch: Justin Geiger, Sr.; Bryan Maguire, Sr.; Kyle Resuta, Sr.; Mitch Morris, Jr.; Ryan Jasudowich, So.

Outlook: Resuta was first team All-PAC in 2019, and second team Mercury All-Area; he was tied for 12th in the PAC Individual Tournament with an 81. … Jasudowich was the Phantoms’ low man at PACs, tying two other players for ninth place at 80. … “A lot of unknown going into the season,” Winnick said. “A modified season, and a new course, add to the uncertainty for our team. However, there is a strong core returning from last year’s team.” … Phoenixville’s home course this season will be Shannondell Golf Course in Audubon.

POTTSGROVE

Head coach: Don Petrella, 12th year.

Last year’s record: 4-8 overall.

Players to watch: Steven Rinda, Sr.; Michael Krueger, Jr.; John Ryan McMenamin, Jr.

Outlook: Rinda, a District 1 Individual tournament qualifier and All-PAC second team pick in 2019,  has developed well through hard work and dedication. “As captain,” Petrella said, “Steven will provide our senior leadership. and we have some up-and-coming juniors who are showing great ability, such as Wyatt Lear, John Ryan McMenamin and Michael Krueger.” … “Our team is filled with quality young people who care about the game and how they approach it,” Petrella said. “This will be the deepest team Pottsgrove has had in some time.”

SPRING-FORD

Head coach: Jeff Mast, 34th year.

Last year’s record: 9-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 10-2 overall.

Players to watch: Joe Niblick, Sr.; Luke Watson, Sr.; Joey Chillano; Noah Kim.

Outlook: The Rams’ lineup is bolstered by promising underclassmen like Jake Blackmoor and Luke Fazio. … Watson tie for 6th place in the PAC’s 2019 Individual Tournament. He was a second-team selection to The Mercury All-Area team. … The Rams came home second to Methacton in the PAC’s 2019 Team Tournament championship match, 198-203. Their last league team title was secured in 2017. … “We’re fortunate and thankful to have a season,” Mast said. “There are good kids out there, and good teams like Methacton, Owen J. Roberts and Phoenixville. I expect them to be strong again.”

UPPER MERION

Head coach: Ryan Mitchell, fourth year.

Last year’s record: 1-9 Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Players to watch: Justin Kravitz, Sr.; Anika Villivalam, Sr.; Amanda Schuebel, Jr.; Audrey Schuebel, So.

Outlook: Amanda Schuebel was a first-team selection among the PAC’s girls and accorded honorable mention on the 2019 Mercury All-Area team. Audrey Schuebel was a PAC honorable mention pick. … “We have a strong returning core with some upcoming underclassmen that will hopefully propel us to a few victories,” Mitchell said,

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Head coach: John Brittain, 20th year.

Last year’s record: 2-8 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 3-8 overall.

Players to watch: Zach Gehman, Sr.; Donovan Hanney, Sr.; Connor Martin, Sr.; Soren Svanson, Sr.; James Weller, Sr.; Nate Reinhart, Jr.

Outlook: Gehman was second team All-PAC and Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention last fall. … “The Indians will look to improve each day on the golf course,” Brittain said. “We have a large group of seniors who are thrilled to be able to play this season. We will need try to be competitive in a very tough PAC, through a balanced line-up. Spring-Ford and Methacton, as usual, will be the teams to beat.  Boyertown is this season’s sleeper.”