Introduction
The EPHS Varsity Golf Team is one of the smaller team sports at EPHS, but it is very impactful. Here is some more information about the team’s players and coach. Currently, the Varsity Golf Team has 8 people, but there is a lot of competition. Everyone is fighting for a top spot in the lineup. Manny Fontanez and Michael Murphy will be interviewing 5 people on the Varsity Golf Team and the Varsity Coach.
Meet the Team
#1 Sammy LaBarbera – Returning senior
- What is your favorite thing about the golf team?
“For me, it is the team chemistry and bond we have. On bus rides, we have a lot of laughs and we find ways to make the most of the season.”
- What has been the hardest part of the golf season?
“The hardest part of this season has been the competition. Since last year, I won the Conference MVP and Conference tournament as an individual; therefore, all of the other teams want to beat me more than others, putting a target on my back.”
- How is the golf season going for you personally?
”For me, this season has been great, as I am playing my best golf of the three years and currently have my lowest scoring average in my career. I plan to make it to state this year; it is my biggest goal for the season.”
#2 Leon Solarczyk – Returning senior
- What is your favorite thing about the golf team?
“My favorite thing about the golf team is how the team gets along really well and bonds. We share a lot of memories as we push to win matches. I love connecting with everyone on the team, and it’s been my favorite part of the team.”
- What has been the hardest part of the golf season?
“The hardest part has been trying to stay consistent as golf takes a lot of skill to succeed.”
- How is the golf season going for you personally?
“I believe the season is going well for me. I got better compared to last season. I think this is one of my best seasons of my few years playing golf.”
#3 Zach Andersen – Returning sophomore
- What is your favorite thing about the golf team?
“My favorite thing about the golf team is that there is a lot of free golf. Another thing is how fun the team is. We have a lot of team bonding with long bus rides and games.”
- What has been the hardest part of the golf season?
“The hardest part of the golf season is we have long nights and do not get home until late.”
- How is the golf season going for you personally?
“The golf season has been pretty good for me this year. I feel I have gotten better compared to last year and I’m having a lot more fun this season.”
#4 Maxxwell Schmitz – Returning sophomore
- What is your favorite thing about the golf team?
“My favorite thing about the golf team is having all this access to golf with only having to pay a small fee at the start.”
- What has been the hardest part of the golf season?
“The hardest part of golf this season was staying consistent with how I play.”
- How is the golf season going for you personally?
”The golf season for me is going pretty well; I’m enjoying it, and I also think I’m playing well. I feel I have improved a lot over this season and learned a lot.”
#5 Juan De La Mora – Returning senior
(Dave Porecca)
- What is your favorite thing about the golf team?
“My favorite thing about the golf team is the people, always showing companionship and hard work every match or practice we have.”
- What has been the hardest part of the golf season?
“The hardest part of this golf season is trying to focus on myself; it’s hard to compare yourself without having people who are better than you around you.”
- How is the golf season going for you personally?
“For me, golf is going okay, but it’s unfortunate that I will be leaving the team to go on to do better things. I will never forget the memories I’ve made with everyone from freshman year to senior year.”
#6 Coach Posmer
- How do you feel about the golf team this year?
“I think the golf team right now has a couple of upperclassmen that are going to do well this postseason, and we have a good group of underclassmen that are going to be in our varsity line up for the next two years.”
- What are your hopes for next year?
“I would like to see a lot of the underclassmen we have put in some time working on ball hitting drills a few days a week, working on functional strength and playing practice rounds in the off season and next summer to lower their scores and have a very competitive team.”
- What are some of the challenges you face being the coach?
“The biggest challenges about being a golf coach is dealing with transportation and coordinating with the golf courses, the practice range, and other teams. For golf, we have to travel every time we compete and practice so that needs to be coordinated. Also, golf courses are businesses that are open to the public so finding tee times for matches and practice rounds can be challenging.”
Conclusion
It seems the team is confident in their abilities and excited for the future of the program. It will be sad to see the seniors go off to college, but hopefully some new talent is on the way with the incoming freshman. We hope that all of you readers are now more interested in the golf program and team.
Sources
Sammy Labarbera, Online interview; email
Leon Solarczyk, Online interview; email
Zach Andersen, Online interview; email
