Huntington Golf Captures
League Crown
For the first time in a long time, the Huntington High School golf team has won the league championship, closing out the regular season with a 10-0 mark in Suffolk League III play and capturing the league tournament, as well.
"We are a young and talented team," head coach Michael Marinello said. "I feel we have the potential to be very good for several years. This is a team that really loves golf and enjoys the competition it provides. We played several very close matches and came out on top every time."
In the League III tournament at the Huntington Country Club, freshman Jim Smoot and sophomore Justin Loturco each shot an eight over par 78 to share the co-championship. Junior Charles Bast shot an 82 to earn third place. The golfers will advance to the Suffolk championship in the spring.
"Jim has transformed his game in the past year," said Marinello about Smoot. "Through hard work and countless hours on the course, he has become one of the best players in Suffolk. Jim is only a freshman, but he has the potential to be both all-county and all-state this spring. He has helped raise the bar for Huntington golf."
Loturco peaked near the end of the fall season. "Justin played out of the fourth position on the team, which speaks to the depth of the team," Marinello said. "He is one of the players that recognized what it would take to bring his game to the next level. His hard work during the summer paid huge dividends for the team. Justin is a true gentleman in every sense of the word and exemplifies what is means to be a student-athlete in Huntington."
Bast missed last season. His return to the links allowed Huntington to put the missing piece to its puzzle in place. "I knew we would be competitive with our returning team from 2011, but with the return of Charles, I knew we had a special team," Marinello said. "Charles has a swing that is envied by coaches and others in the golf community. If he dedicates himself to playing competitive golf next summer, his game can become even better."
Senior captain Max Fehrs also played an integral role on the team. "Max has been at the center of the golf program's remarkable turnaround," Marinello said. "Making it though several losing seasons, Max stayed the course and he led this young and talented team to an undefeated year. He has contributed on the course with his performance, but more importantly he has always been a positive role model for the younger members of the team."
Huntington displayed a level of camaraderie that few teams can hope to reach. "We did not have any undefeated golfers and we did not roll over our competition each match," Marinello said. The Blue Devils won a series of close contests with skilled play from a group that consistently hit the fairways on its drives, proved adept at using its irons and dropped plenty of long putts.
The close victories were cherished by both players and their coach. "Any one of those matches could have gone the other way," Marinello said. "Each golfer valued each stroke and gave each shot their full attention. It was only by this approach that they were able to win those close matches. I have never seen a group of golfers encourage and support each other like this team."
To a man, the Blue Devils acknowledged how fortunate they have been to call the Huntington Crescent Club their home. "Our golfers recognize and appreciate the support from John Schob, (PGA professional) his staff and the membership," Marinello said. "Huntington golfers conduct themselves as gentlemen on-and-off the course."
With only Fehrs set to graduate in June, the starting line-up will stay nearly intact next fall. "If the team puts in the necessary time during the off-season, next year's team can be highly successful," Marinello said.