South Fork Golf Coaches: League VIII Is Toughest in County

There’s a three-headed race for the top spot in League VIII this boys golf season.

Between Southampton, Westhampton Beach and East Hampton, it’s any team’s title to win, and the head coaches said they’re looking forward to seeing how their golfers stack up and where the chips may fall.

The Mariners currently sit at the top of the standings with an unblemished 6-0 overall record and 5-0 mark in league play. What has made the team so lethal is that anyone can be the frontrunner on any given day.

“What’s kind of cool about my team is someone different is leading every match — almost everyone in the lineup has taken a turn as being the low man, which is a bit rare and very cool,” head coach Tim Schreck said. “I had certain expectations going into this season, and I feel like we’re at the peak of those expectations, if not beyond. They’re a great group of guys and as far as their play I couldn’t be happier and more proud of what they’re doing.”

As far as averages go, Schreck said junior Liam Blackmore has consistently shot low, while freshman Ethan Heuer has been a welcome surprise, entering the lineup almost every match.

“With Liam, it’s the work he’s put in. He’s a multi-sport athlete — a very good athlete who’s always played baseball — who decided to focus on golf, and it’s really paying off,” the coach said. “And Ethan continues to impress me being this is his first year. He’s been really steady and composed against some high competition. He’s answered the call each match pretty amazingly. But the strength of our team is our depth, for sure — anyone is capable of shooting really well.”

Southampton biggest win to-date was a 6-3 victory at Westhampton Beach on September 20.

The teams tied in strokes, a rare occurrence, and three Mariners hit big putts on the ninth hole to win their head-to-head by a stroke.

“It’s impressive not only beating such a formidable opponent, which has a tremendous amount of success on their home turf, but the way in which we won was team effort, and just showed an amazing amount of composure,” Schreck said. “It shows how close these two teams are.”

Westhampton Beach is currently 6-1 and 5-1 with a second matchup against Southampton on October 11. The Hurricanes, led by sophomores Owen Jessop and Charlie Beasley and freshman Zach Berger, had their biggest win against East Hampton at home, 6-3, on September 15, five days prior to losing to Southampton. Head coach Fred Musumeci said that loss was tough, but that he hasn’t lost confidence in his golfers.

“We played well. We’re a good team, and we’re getting better,” he said. “I think I have the best top three in the lineup out of anyone, and the back end is rounding into shape, but we’re going to have to beat Southampton at their place Tuesday to have a chance at winning the league championship.”

Musumeci said what’s also made his team so solid is its work ethic.

“They love the game of golf and they like working at it,” he said. “I’ve been the golf coach for 18 years, and they are the hardest working group I’ve ever had, for sure. That’s what sets them apart, and they’re consistent.”

The coach said as far as average golfers and handicapping they’re between a plus-1 and plus-2, and that League VIII being so challenging is playing to his Hurricanes’ advantage.

“Just about every match they’re competing against quality opponents and that definitely helps the boys individually,” Musumeci said. “We’ll see how things shake out. We have a championship we’re trying to win.”

East Hampton boasts a 4-1 record, with its match against Southampton being postponed twice due to inclement weather this season. The two teams were originally slated to face off September 22, and moved to October 3, but rain has continued to push back the competition. Head coach Rich King said while he thinks his golfers have played well thus far, he believes his Bonackers have yet to put forth their best golf.

“We have been a bit inconsistent to this point, but I think we are getting close to putting it all together,” he said.

Leading the team is Nico Horan-Puglia and Trevor Stachecki, who King said stand out for the way they approach each day, whether it be in practice or a match.

“They are always focused on getting better and competing,” the coach said. “They really lead the team and set a great example for the other players. They are also two of the more talented players in our league.”

King has also been impressed by freshmen Andrew Brown, Lucas Centalonza and Colin Kelly.

“All three are competing for spots in the lineup on a weekly basis, and are making contributions to the team,” he said.

Between East Hampton, Southampton and Westhampton Beach, King said he sees any team capable of winning.

“All three lineups are very similar in strength,” the coach said. “Every match between those teams has been and will be super closely contested — one-to-two shots have been the difference in some cases.”

Schreck agreed, saying it’s about who is staying calm under pressure and who is playing well on any given day.

“Playing East Hampton at their place is probably one of the hardest places to win, so we’re looking forward to that challenge, but it could determine a lot of what happens the rest of the way,” he said. “I’m feeling really optimistic. We’ve been playing some good golf and everyone is hitting their stride.”

Musumeci said he sees not only a three-headed race for the league title, but the conference and possibly the county championships, as well.

“I have three real quality golfers, but the other teams have high-quality golfers, as well,” he said. “I could see the state tournament team having five or six guys from our league alone.”

While Pierson/Bridgehampton/Ross is 1-5 and 1-4, head coach Clint Schulman said his boys are also improving every match, and for a young team, added the challenge against the top-tier teams in the county has only benefited his golfers.

“My kids are doing a good job of playing the best that they can and staying really focused, and I’m proud of how they’re really wanting to work on their game and get better each and every time they step out there,” he said. “It gives them goals, like, ‘I want to be as good as that kid.’”

Adam Drohan, the coach said, has been the most consistent, shooting the low round of 45 against Westhampton Beach on September 29.

“He’s starting to put it all together with his driver and his short game and his putting,” Schulman said. “He’s always talking to me about how he can get better, and that stands out.”

Carter Kleinsmith, he said, has also shown vast improvement, putting up his best round of 45 against Southampton on September 28.

“Jack Boeshore from Bridgehampton has also been good, and Yudai Morikawa from Ross has been a nice surprise and a great addition to the team,” Schulman said. “Mason Wheeler had a good couple of rounds so far this season, and Christian Pantina has been my sixth kid, and he’s never played before.”

The experience the golfers have gained this season will benefit the young team well into the future, the coach said.

“Even though the record doesn’t say much, these kids are grinding, and that’s what I love about the team,” he said. “They’re eager to get better, and as a coach, that’s all I could ask for.”

Hampton Bays, one of the only South Fork teams in League VII, sits at 3-3 on the season with two matches against Eastport-South Manor and one against Shelter Island and Mattituck remaining. Riverhead, at 7-0, has dominated the division and also appears to be one of the stronger teams in the county, according to head coach Pete Meehan.

The Baymen’s top four golfers this season are Erik Sandstrom, Mike Poremba, Jamie Moore and Rieve Nydegger.

“They have consistently shot low numbers and have kept us competitive,” Meehan said.

Most notably, the team scored a 230, its best yet, in a September 29, 9-0 loss to Westhampton Beach. Individually, Sandstrom has won four of his six matches and leads the team with an average of 40. Poremba has been reliable in the second slot, splitting his six matches and is averaging a 44.

On Friday, October 14, Hampton Bays will compete in the annual Southampton Town Sebonack Challenge, facing off against Southampton, Westhampton Beach and Pierson/Bridgehampton/Ross at Sebonack Golf Club.