Blue Devil Golfers Take Aim at
Suffolk Crown
While the Huntington High School golf team is ready to defend its Suffolk League III title, the Blue Devils hope to accomplish more; much more.
Huntington lost Max Fehrs to graduation, but the rest of the roster returns and junior Tom Waldron is back in town and attending Huntington High School after studying at the out-of-state Hank Haney Golf School. Waldron will bolster an already strong lineup.
“Many of the golfers on the team played competitive golf over the summer, which prepared them for the fall season,” Blue Devil head coach Mike Marinello said. “We hope to continue our success from our undefeated season a year ago. We have several tough matches that we will have to play well in to reach our goal of winning the league championship.”
Among the top players on this year’s team is sophomore Jim Smoot and junior Justin Loturco, who are both ranked in the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Junior Division.
Smoot boasts a +1 handicap. He finished second in the Long Island Golf Association’s junior match play championship and was a MGA boys’ match play championship semi-finalist. He had an undefeated North Shore inter-club match record and recorded a first place finish in the inter-club championship by shooting a 69. The teenager has won three Metropolitan PGA tournaments and qualified for the Long Island amateur open.
Loturco has a 3 handicap. A league champion, he won the Metropolitan PGA Crab Meadow tournament title and the Suffolk County Park three-day tournament crown.
Marinello arranged to play defending county champion Smithtown East and traditionally powerful Cold Spring Harbor this fall. “I hope that the strong competition will better prepare us for the county tournament in the spring,” the coach said about the Section XI tournament, which is held in the spring.
Waldron is another 3 handicap golfer with plenty of talent. A finalist in the club championship, he has significantly strengthened the Blue Devils’ lineup.
A 5 handicap golfer, senior Charles Bast placed third in last season’s league tournament and had the most birdies and second lowest average score in league play. He finished fourth in the club championship.
Eighth grader Tyler Gerbavsits is expected to continue his rapid ascent in the sport. An 8 handicap golfer, he was outstanding in inter-club play. His best Metropolitan PGA score was an 82 and his low for the year was a 78.
Eighth grader Matt Giamo, a 19-handicap golfer, went 6-1 in inter-club play and should be an integral member of the Blue Devil squad for years to come.
Chris Bergman sports a 9 handicap and Marinello expects the junior to be another contributor to the team’s success. The coach will also count on sophomores Chris Abbondandelo, Tom Kopstein and Scott Venturino and juniors Alex Borman and Chris Glowacky.
“We finished fifth in the county last year and are sure to be in contention for the county title in the spring,” Marinello said. “We definitely have the talent to win the counties, but for now we are focusing winning each league match.”
Huntington’s golfers are also benefitting from the assistance of Jim Smoot, Sr., the Huntington Country Club’s head pro. He’s been providing the Blue Devils with tips and advice and generally helping each golfer improve.
The Blue Devils will once again practice and play their home meets at the Huntington Crescent Club. “We would like to thank the head pro John Schob and the Crescent Club for hosting our team again this year,” Marinello said.