BOYS
Boyertown
Head coach: Joe McClelland, third season
Last year’s record: 6-4 overall
Athletes to watch: Chase Kline, Sr.; Kyle Reigner, Sr.; Chase Dillman, Jr.; Will Swartley, Soph.
Outlook: Last year, the Bears won their three-team tiebreaker match to clinch a Pioneer Athletic Conference playoff spot, ultimately losing to Spring-Ford in the semifinals. Two golfers (Josh Bardsley, Chase Dillman) qualified for the District 1 tournament in 2022.
Dillman took fourth place in the PAC Championships last fall after shooting a 77 at Turtle Creek as a sophomore. Boyertown enters the 2023 season with both confidence and the desire to take things further with an experienced group.
“I think we look a little stronger than last year and hopefully can continue with our progression,” McClelland said. “Two seasons ago we had a winning season, last season we made the playoffs and this season we are hoping to get into the finals. Another area we are looking at is increasing the number of golfers that qualify for the district match.”
Home course: Hickory Valley Golf Course
Daniel Boone
Head coach: Ian West, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 9-6 Berks I, 9-6 overall
Athletes to watch: Chase Yenser, Chase Cleaver, Zach Hasara, Jake Schappell.
Outlook: Chase Yenser made All-Berks last season. Youthful team looking to gain experience and climb the division ladder.
Home course: Reading CC (par 70)
Methacton
Head coach: Kevin Flanagan, 17th season
Last year’s record: 6-4, PAC Final Four
Athletes to watch: Christian Kay, Sr.; Anthony Feliciani, Sr.; Matthew Rieger, Sr.; Brody Hydock, Sr.
Outlook: The Warriors have a strong core of seniors, highlighted by second team All-Mercury selection Matthew Rieger. A routine PAC contender, Methacton will depend on its younger golfers to help pave the way to the league’s Final Four once more.
“We have a strong group of upperclassmen and we will look to fight to get into the playoffs, but will need some new faces to step up,” Flanagan said.
Home course: Skippack Golf Course
Norristown
Head coach: Ian Morris, 19th year
Last year’s record: 0-12 overall
Athletes to watch: Gavin Walker; Andrew McCarsky; Johnangelo Salamone
Outlook: With only Caden Browell and Chase Eicholtz on the roster last year, the Eagles have now gained a full squad of eight golfers for the first time in years with several members of the Norristown baseball team taking up golf.
“The student-athletes are excited about playing and seem to truly love the sport,” Morris said. “I expect to see improvements throughout the season as our newcomers become more experienced.”
Home course: Jeffersonville golf course
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: Brian Sponagle, second season
Last year’s record: 6-4 overall
Athletes to watch: Erik Harken, Sr.; Brody Calle, Soph.; Leif Matlack, Fr.
Outlook: The Wildcats will look for new leaders following the graduation of Stefania Fedun, who has moved on to Lehigh University after leading the OJR boys team for several seasons before capping her high school career with a 10th-place finish in the PIAA girls championships last year.
“OJR should be competitive and able to hang with the top teams in the PAC,” Sponagle said. “The young talent is very promising.”
Home course: Kimberton Golf Club
Perkiomen Valley
Head coach: Tavio Hunsicker, 10th season
Last year’s record: 9-1 PAC, 12-3 overall, PAC Final Four
Athletes to watch: Ayush Patel, Sr.; Colin Motsavage, Sr.; Luke Hanlon, Sr.; Jacob Loladze, Jr.; Luke Haas, Jr.; Jacob Rotay, Jr. Andrew Brendlinger, Soph.; Alex Hall, Soph.
Outlook: Senior Ayush Patel was a District 1 qualifier as well as first team All-PAC last year, while Andrew Brendlinger put together an impressive freshman campaign last fall that garnered second team All-PAC honors.
“Our goal is to improve throughout the season and we hope to be competitive in every match,” Hunsicker said. “The league will be very competitive again this year.”
Home course: Spring Hollow Golf Club
Phoenixville
Head coach: Rob Huston, second year
Last year’s record: 1-10 overall
Athletes to watch: Dale MacKay, Sr.; Will Linko, Jr.; Connor Menasian, Jr; Walker Mannon, Fr.; Morgan Thompson, Fr.; Cole Geiger, Fr.
Outlook: While the Phantoms have graduated District 1 qualifier and second team All-Mercury Ryan Jasudowicz, Phoenixville has the depth of a roster of over 30 golfers. Dale MacKay, Will Linko and Connor Menasian will be in leadership roles as the Phantoms rely on a very young team to help steer things forward.
“We will be counting on several sophomores and freshmen to make a positive impact on the upcoming season,” Huston said.
Home course: Pickering Golf Course
Pope John Paul II
Head coach: John Miles, second year; David Torres (JV Coach) first year
Last year’s record: 8-2 overall, PAC runner-up
Athletes to watch: Ryan McQuarrie, Jr.; Kevin Bleam, Jr.; Ryan Long, Jr.; Liam Canning, Jr.; Alex Pereni, Jr.; Jack Kessler, Soph.; Miller Finkelmeier, Soph.; Ryan Kelly, Fr.; Sylas Serafin, Fr.; Beau Bliem, Fr.
Outlook: Alongside then-head coach Michael Thompson and a strong senior class, John Miles, now at the helm of the program, helped guide the Golden Panthers to their best finish in school history as PAC runners-up a year ago.
Pope John Paul II made the playoffs in three straight seasons from 2015-2017, but last year marked the program’s first appearance in the PAC final.
The Golden Panthers have just two returning players with varsity experience. Atop of last year’s senior class was Jack Brennan, a first team All-Mercury golfer who placed fifth in the individual PAC Championships last fall.
“PJP has a balanced group of golfers at the top of the roster with several players demonstrating the ability to break 40 during a round,” Miles said.
Home course: Bella Vista Golf Course
Pottsgrove
Head coach: Neil Rusiewicz, second year
Last year’s record: 1-10 overall
Athletes to watch: Doug Raggazino, Fr.; Brayden Hires, Soph.; Charlie Potpinko, Jr.
Outlook: The Falcons will be younger after graduating senior talent, headlined by the departures of Cooper Simon, Koda Browne and Dylan Penot. But Pottsgrove returns a plethora of players with varsity experience from last year and look to continue to grow in 2023.
“Pottsgrove looks to rebound from a down season last year. Led by a core of returning seniors, this year’s team has plenty of young players that have shown tremendous talent and growth every practice,” Rusiewicz said.
Home course: Landis Creek Golf Club
Spring-Ford
Head coach: Jerry Hollingsworth, third season
Last year’s record: 17-1 overall, PAC champion, seven District 1 qualifiers
Athletes to watch: Charlie Ferrise, Sr.; Shaun Drover, Sr.; Ryan Greives, Sr.; Alex Vanho, Sr.
Outlook: The Rams repeated as unbeaten PAC champions for a second straight year in 2022. That effort was aided by strong outings from Charlie Ferrise (34) and Luke Fazio (35) on the par-35 Bella Vista course during the PAC Championships before sending seven to the District 1 Championships.
Spring-Ford has finished within the top four in the PAC for the past 12 years and 15 of the last 16. Last year marked the program’s fourth PAC championship since the beginning of the Final Four format in 2005.
Five seniors graduated from last year’s group that racked up several All-area honors, including Jaden Minter – last year’s Mercury golfer of the year – and Fazio. But upperclassmen leadership remains a major component this season.
“We are reloading the team this year since five seniors graduated. Our strong JV program should help with that,” Hollingsworth said. “The kids worked hard over the summer to improve their games. The play of our seniors will dictate our success.”
Home course: Turtle Creek Golf Course
Upper Merion
Head coach: Ryan Mitchell, sixth season
Last year’s record: 3-6 overall
Athletes to watch: Jack Rogers, Sr.; Jack McCarthy, Soph.; John Haney, Soph.; Alyssa Schuebel, Jr.; Amala Villivalam, Jr.
Outlook: Upper Merion’s top four golfers are projected to shoot between the low 40s to high 30s. The Vikings took a step in the right direction last season after a 2-7 record in 2021.
“Solid mix of players, some young talent coming up for their first varsity year,” Mitchell said.
Home course: Westover Golf Club
Upper Perkiomen
Head coach: John Brittain, 23rd Season
Last year’s record: 4-6 PAC, 4-8 overall
Athletes to watch: Branden Rozanski, Sr.; Joe Carnesi, Sr.; Ethan Smith, Sr.; Braden Rieg, Sr.; Cole Pierce, Jr.; Connor Gehman, Jr.; Owen Brozoski, Jr.; Jordin Dice, Soph.
Outlook: Last year, Upper Perkiomen improved on a two-win season in 2021 with four league victories. This fall, the program has more depth and aims to continue that upward trend.
“Anyone in our line-up, 1-8 can factor into our scoring,” Brittain said. “Also, our work ethic is a strength. This team loves to play golf and have devoted a great amount of time to improving.”
Home course: Macoby Run Golf Course
GIRLS
Boyertown
Head coach: John Hagmann, first season
Last year’s record: 2-8 overall
Athletes to watch: Katia Holmes, Sr.; Kamryn Pier, Soph.; Riley Pier, Soph.; Hailey Schildt, Jr.; Hannah Adamski, Jr.; Jordyn So, Jr.; Jordyn So, Jr.
Outlook: Katia Holmes is the lone senior returner for Boyertown this season, but the Bears carry a number of players with varsity experience.
“We are hoping to be competitive in each match and improve on our team score each round,” Hagmann said. “It will be an exciting year to see the improvement round to round.”
Home course: Twin Ponds Golf Course
Methacton
Head coach: Chris Lloyd, 10th season
Last year’s record: 2-8 overall
Athletes to watch: Kate Thomas, Sr.; Julia Sala, Sr.; Lauren Springman, Fr.
Outlook: The Warriors have a lineup of four experienced seniors, led by District 1 qualifier Kate Thomas. Julia Sala, Shivani Joshi, and Isabella Mandracchia add depth for Methacton’s lineup.
“Our team goal is to send as many players to the PAC and district tournaments as possible,” Lloyd said. “We are looking forward to an exciting and competitive season.”
Home course: Skippack Golf Course
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: Ryan Ayres, first season
Last year’s record: First season
Athletes to watch: Olivia Savochka, Sr.; Maeve Donnelly, Sr.; Alexandra Marlow, Sr.
Outlook: Owen J. Roberts has fielded a girls varsity golf team for the first time in school history. With Ryan Ayres helming the program in its inaugural year, the Wildcats benefit from a senior-laden team that looks to grow the sport now for years to come under upperclassmen leadership.
“We are traveling into uncharted territory as the first OJR Girls golf team,” Ayres said. “We are combining girls who are unfamiliar with each other working towards a common goal, to compete as one team. My goal for our team is to focus on being young women built for others. I’m hoping our girls can embrace the mentality of being a good teammate, a respectful opponent, a resilient athlete, and a compassionate human being.”
Home course: Kimberton Golf Club
Perkiomen Valley
Head coach: Gail Davis, first season
Last year’s record: 7-5 overall
Athletes to watch: Abigail McCorkell, Sr.; Saloni Patel, Fr.; Meredith Imes, Sr.; Nadia Yackanicks, Jr.; Brianna King, Jr.
Outlook: Gail Davis takes the reins of the program. Abigail McCorkell placed eighth in the PAC Championships and qualified for the first round of districts. She and Meredith Imes, both All-Area honorees, are senior captains this fall.
“We’re building on last year’s success and improving in more solid rounds from everyone,” Davis said.
Home course: Spring Hollow Golf Club
Phoenixville
Head coach: Sandy Waltz, 10th season
Last year’s record: Team: District 1 Class 3A champion, PIAA 3A team champion, 8-10 overall.
Athletes to watch: Kate Roberts, Sr.; Sophomore Kayley Roberts, Soph.; Ella Drewes, Jr.; Molly Kotes, Jr.
Outlook: The Phantoms are coming off their first PIAA golf team title in program history, and return the two anchors who made that happen. Senior captain Kate Roberts and sister Kayley, a sophomore, both led Phoenixville to a one-stroke win over Spring-Ford in the District 1-3A Championships before winning it all in State College.
Individually a year ago, Kayley Roberts was PAC champion and PIAA runner-up; Kate Roberts placed third at PACs and PIAAs, and eighth at districts.
Both have played tournaments all summer. Kate completed four AJGA qualifiers over the summer, winning two out of the four events with scores of 71 and 75. Kayley completed several regional events with her best finish at Notah Begay (74,74) and will be competing in the Drive, Chip and Putt regionals at Aronimink in September.
Juniors Ella Drewes and Molly Kotes are projected to be major contributors to a team with the highest expectations in the area this season.
“It’s hard to beat last year’s accomplishments. Talk about a Cinderella story with only three players going to states and taking the title,” Waltz said. “I’m hoping to make it a repeat trip with the team as well as individual girls. The Roberts sisters will be in contention for top placings at PACs, districts as well as states.”
Home course: Turtle Creek Golf Course
Spring-Ford
Head coach: John Brennan, fifth season
Last year’s record: 10-0 PAC, PAC champion, District 1 runner-up
Athletes to watch: Alie Adams, Sr.; Mary McNelly, Sr.; Sousan Hejazi, Sr.; Devon Armor, Jr.; Hannah White, Jr.; Kaelyn Kirsch, Soph.; Cadence Strake, Soph.
Outlook: The Rams have gone unbeaten en route to sweeping the PAC team title in back-to-back years, respectively. Spring-Ford graduated key members of that group in first team All-Mercury golfers Morgan Kunze and Nicole Yun, as well as All-Area second team selection Cierra Griffith.
Alie Adams highlights this year’s Rams squad as a three-time All-PAC golfer. She and Mary McNelly were District 1 qualifiers last fall. Sousan Hejazi and Devon Armor add to the core of experienced returners.
“Spring-Ford will have a lot of new faces in the varsity lineup this season,” Brennan said. “We are looking to improve every time we step on the golf course this season and be competitive in all of our league and non-league matches.”
Home course: Turtle Creek Golf Course
