While St. Edward’s boys golf team was eliminated from further postseason play after finishing fifth in the District 19-1A tournament last week, the season continued for juniors Ryan Niederpruem and GP Battista when they qualified to advance to the regional tournament as individuals.
Niederpruem shot a team-best 88, while Battista was second with a 90.
Freshmen Adam Rogers (94) and Aidan Heaney (97) were three and four, with junior Ryan Bird (101) rounding out the field. Sophomore Jack Kincus did not participate in the district tournament, but posted a personal-best 49 in a nine-hole event last month.
Under the guidance of head coach Scott Mohr, those six guys gained valuable experience this year attempting to craft a set of skills in an often frustrating sport. Being able to practice and host matches on the oceanfront at Riomar Country Club was a benefit of immeasurable significance.
“We had a great season this year,” Mohr said of his team that forged a 5-5 regular season match record to earn the third seed at districts. “Ryan and GP were our only two returning players, and they have been the leaders of our team with some really strong showings.
“It was a little different feel than in years past. This was more of a fun environment, with less pressure. We had no seniors, which in some ways can be a challenge. In other ways it is a great blessing because we have the freedom of time. They have this youthful energy and we hope they are all going to be back playing golf for us next season.
“Our boys just like to have fun on the golf course. Our team camaraderie is very, very strong. We had more multi-sport athletes than ever before. Our two freshmen played a considerable amount of golf and displayed some nice skills. Our fifth guy, Ryan Bird, is a great lacrosse player and he brought some of that athleticism to the golf course.
“The entire team had a high level of passion, and that really paid off. We also had a lot of enthusiasm and desire to improve, but everyone knows there is a lot to learn about golf.”
Riomar Country Club just might be an ideal laboratory to facilitate that process.
Drew DiSesa is the head golf professional at Riomar and he was more than willing to chip in.
“Working with the St. Ed’s kids was great, we were excited to have them out here,” DiSesa told us. “I worked with a handful of them during the summer, and they worked really hard. They have continued to work hard to improve, and that is good to see.
“This is my second season here and I actually played high school golf for King’s Academy in West Palm Beach. We played against St. Ed’s when I was in high school, so it was nice to be able to give back and let them have this as their home course this year.
“It gave me that high school feeling again. I can’t believe I was once one of them. Bringing in younger people is one of my goals, and it’s one of the club’s goals as well. The club is 100 percent behind having junior golf here, especially during the summer when we are a little quieter.”
Having access to local courses before the population swells is a big advantage for high school golfers in this area. The St. Ed’s-Riomar nexus this year was appreciated on both ends. This type of collaborative arrangement serves to bridge the generation gap in golf.
This week Mohr will move on to the soccer field to assist his wife, Jaclyn, with the varsity girls team. He had some closing thoughts on the golf season.
“We played some good golf this year. I’m really excited that I will have more time to work with these boys. It will only make us stronger as a team.
“We want to educate the whole student and not be just one dimensional. Being professional, courteous, prepared and respecting this beautiful golf course are just as important than anything they accomplish on the golf course.
“I try to instill that level of appreciation and I believe the boys are starting to get it.”
