by MATT GORDON Editor-in-chief
The Monroe Township Falcon Golf Team is off to a fast start and is poised to make a run in the postseason in the upcoming months. The team is 8-0 and has averaged a score of 167 for nine holes, which is calculated through the four lowest scores after every match.
The varsity team has defeated all of its opponents by 40 shots or more and is leading the White Division as the only undefeated team. The leading players are sophomore captain Matthew Cocorikis and junior Brandon Hur, who each have season averages in the high 30s.
Senior captain Matt Walsh is also an important part of team, leading the way in practices and matches. Other varsity players include juniors Eric Monticello, Matthew Gordon, and Abhin Shah, as well as sophomore Michael Berra and freshman Jason Gizze. The team has amazing depth, with all eight players shooting at an average in the low to mid 40s.
The regular season has gone extremely well for the team and they are poised to make a run at the Greater Middlesex Conference crown, which would be the first one in school history. The biggest threats to a Monroe win at the GMC Tournament would be the St. Joseph’s Falcons and the Metuchen Bulldogs, both of which are ranked top 20 in the state. Each of these teams averages a score in the low 160s, a score Monroe has only been able to accomplish in one match so far this season. One advantage Monroe has is that the tournament will be played at Forsgate Country Club, the team’s home course.
Cocorikis says, “I think we will be able to contend with the top teams [St. Josephs and Metuchen]. We definitely have the players to shoot low scores and if we play well, there is no doubt in my mind that we will succeed.”
Another important tournament that the team will be competing in is the State Championships, which are held at Linwood Country Club in Linwood, NJ. This tournament is highly competitive and features all of the top teams in Central and South Jersey.
Head Coach Dennis Kelleher says, “I think we have an outside cvhance at winning the counties. we will probably be in the middle of the pack at states.”
Although the team may not have a great chance at winning states, Cocorikis and Hur look to possibly score as top individuals. Both players are ranked first and second in the division in averages, and are ready to do some damage in the postseason.
Although winning is important to the team, it is not the only thing. They like to head out every day to play a round with their teammates and have fun.
Gizze, who is in his first year on the team, says, “It’s a great experience [being on the golf team] because I have met new people and play with guys that are good players, and that helps me elevate my game. We have a great team and I think next year will be even better.”
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