By Neil Geoghegan
ngeoghegan@21st-centurymedia.com
@NeilMGeoghegan on Twitter
EAST MARLBOROUGH >> To the surprise of just about everybody, the numbers are down this season for Unionville girls’ golf, who has been a standard-bearer in the Ches-Mont since starting its program in 2018.
But on Tuesday with just six on the roster, the Longhorns still had enough to slip past an up-and-coming Avon Grove squad 195-200 in action at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club.
“Six seasons ago, we started with six golfers, and we’ve had as many as 12,” said Unionville head coach Joe Sudimak. “I was hoping 12 would be our number, but the bottom dropped out. I lost five seniors last year and we just did not replenish.”
Sarina Patel is one of four returnees, and the junior is taking over the mantle as the top performer after the graduation of Mary Grace Dunigan — the 2022 Daily Local News Golfer of the Year, who is now playing Division I college golf at William & Mary.
“We are a small team, but we are very close,” Patel said. “We’ve really gotten to know each other.”
Against the Red Devils, she fired a 41 to capture medalist honors. The highlight of her round was a 12-foot par save at the par-4 sixth hole.
“I thought I played with confidence today,” Patel said. “There were still a few holes where I could have done better, but I am happy with a 41.”
Sophomore Regan Wilson added a 43 for the Longhorns, who are now 4-1 in the league and 7-2 overall.
“Sarina is becoming a more consistent ball-striker,” Sudimak said. “Her short game is getting better and she does have natural putting feel. Once she gets the short game to catch up to the rest of her game, I see her breaking into the 30s real soon.
“Regan has a lot of game, but it’s just not showing up yet. She needs some more experience.”
Sophomore Miranda Post notched a 45 to lead Avon Grove. Scott Whiteside is the head coach of the team for the second year. He was previously a detective for 25 years with the West Chester Police Department.
“This was a good bar to see where we are at,” he said. “Our top three players are all underclassmen, and they’ve put in a lot of time on their own.
“It’s exciting because we are building a program. We are trying to do some more stuff with the younger kids, the junior high kids — to get them more interested in golf — so we don’t expect to have as many first-year players who just picked up the clubs.”
The Red Devils (1-3 in the league and overall) have 10 players on the roster, including six who are new to the program.
“We are improving our numbers,” Whiteside said.
Unionville 195, Avon Grove 200
Par 35, at Kennett Square G&CC
Avon Grove: Post 45, Rabeno 49, Bowden 52, Johnston 54.
Unionville: Patel 41, Wilson 43, Donnelly 51, Avondolio 60.
