Greenwich High School Varsity Golf Team Remains Undefeated

The following is a recap from Ronald Ropiak of the 2017 Greenwich High School varsity golf team's undefeated season thus far:

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich High School varsity golf team continue their winning ways, as the number-one ranked Cardinals wind down a thrilling 2017 season.

With just weeks to go, Coach Jeff Santilli and his team are excited over the prospect of competing for the Fairfield County title, as well as contending for the state championship.

“This team is lead by our captain, Jake Moses, who is a senior,” said Santilli. “But what makes me positive about our future is that there are four sophomores on our squad, in addition to a junior. So, I see a lot of talent, but also a lot of room for growth, and I think we’ll be in the hunt for the next few years.”

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The four sophomores are Jackson Fretty, Billy Nail, Chris Magliocco, and Ben Ropiak, along with junior Jacob Pennella. So far, the varsity squad has been able to compile an undefeated record, but there are still a number of tough matches in front of them.

“Golf is a funny game,” said Ropiak. “You can do everything right, but if you get a bad bounce or a gust of wind, you have to scramble just to make par. So, even though we’re confident, we understand that bad breaks happen sometimes. Coach Santilli keeps reminding us to minimize the mistakes and to take what the course gives us.”

The Cardinals took what the course had to give at the recent Brunswick Invitational, when the team took home the trophy for the first time since 2013. With an aggregate score of 304 at the historic Round Hill Club, GHS edged out Brunswick(307), Bergen Catholic(317), and New Canaan(322).

“It was a boost for the team as a whole,” commented Santilli. “As with many of the matches this year, when one player is not having a great day, the others step it up. What I’m hoping is that as the tournament season comes to a close, all our guys will be peaking individually at the right time, and that will lead them to play their best as a team.”

“We have a rich tradition here at Greenwich High,” Santilli added. “Some great players came out of our program in the last few years, and I was proud to coach them. Now, I have a new group of hungry young players, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform over the next two years.”

Santilli finished by saying, “There’s a lot of good young talent in Greenwich. I hope the success of this team inspires others to be part of the Cardinal tradition in the coming years.”

With just weeks to go this season, the Cardinals appear to be in position to compete for the state title, and with a little luck, to continue that rich tradition for years to come.

Photo 1: From left, Billy Nail, Chris Magliocco, Jake Moses, Ben Ropiak, Jacob Pennella, Jackson Fretty, Coach Jeff Santilli; Photo 2: Brunswick Invitational Champions, from left, Chris Magliocco, Billy Nail, Jake Moses, Ben Ropiak, Jackson Fretty, Coach Jeff Santilli; Photo 3: Chris Magliocco in action; Photo 4: Jackson Fretty teeing off. Photo credit: Contributed

— By Ronald Ropiak