The Huntington High School golf team paid its dues this past fall as a young squad worked hard to gain the experience it needs to be competitive with Suffolk’s best.
Coached by Michael Marinello, the 11member team compiled a 5-5 record and finished fifth in the league play and third in Suffolk Conference I tournament. Junior Pat Sclafani garnered All-League honors.
Sclafani is a very hard worker who cares about his game and the team. If the teenager plays as frequently as he can during the offseason he appears capable of making a run at All-County status as a senior.
Sophomore Jack Giamo and junior John Lourenso also shined. “Jack is a skilled golfer,” Marinello said. The coach is hoping the teenager continues to develop his game and becomes dominant on the course next fall.
Marinello said Lourenso is “very close to being a No. 1 or 2 in the lineup.” With more experience will come better on-course strategic decisions, which will drop his match scores.
The Blue Devils claimed victories over John H. Glenn (5-4 and 8-1), Walt Whitman (8-1 and 8-1) and Half Hollow Hills West (6-3). Huntington dropped matches to Commack (7-2 and 7-2), Half Hollow Hills East (6.5-2.5 and 6.5 to 2.5) and Hills West (6-3).
The team’s roster also included seventh grader Nicholas Sclafani; freshmen Robert Eriksen, Carl Pulizzotto and Joe Sclafani; sophomore Kyle Colleluori; juniors Matt Girimonti and Jack Monahan and senior Anthony Martin.
The highlight of the season came when Huntington rebounded from a disappointing end to its dual match season and finished third in the conference championships.
With only one senior on the team, Marinello is hopeful that with a lot of off-season work the Blue Devils can return next fall as of one the top squads in the league.
