Victories Continue To Pile Up For Greenwich High School Golf Team

The following is a 2017 Greenwich High School Golf Team season update written by Ronald Ropiak:

It has come down to the final week of the season, as the number-one ranked Greenwich High School varsity golf team attempts to finish the year unbeaten.

The Cardinals solidified their hold on the number-one spot with wins this past week over St. Joe’s, New Canaan, and Ridgefield.

But GHS still has two tough matches in the next week against the number-four ranked Staples High, and number-six Fairfield Prep. Coach Jeff Santilli knows the team can’t be complacent.

"This squad has come together nicely. At the beginning of the season some of the players were already in mid-year form, while others were a step behind. But as of now I like what I’m seeing, which is that they’re all playing their best golf at the same time. Now they have to make sure to close out the season in a strong fashion."

The varsity team is composed of six players: senior Jake Moses, junior Jacob Pennella, and sophomores Jackson Fretty, Billy Nail, Chris Magliocco, and Ben Ropiak.

"This season has been an enjoyable one," remarked Maglicco. "We have had ups and downs as a team and individuals, but our strength is that when one of us is playing poorly, someone always manages to pick it up which always allows us to post four solid scores in matches. Having four sophomores on the team who are all friends on and off the course has also been a big advantage. It allows us to take the pressure and focus off of golf, which has helped me numerous times."

Nail added, "The next few weeks will reveal how we stand as we face off against some of the best teams in the FCIAC(Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference) and then the state championship. The biggest challenge that we face heading into the postseason is that we all need to play well on the same day. If we do that I think we have a really good shot."

The FCIAC golf championship will take place at Fairchild Wheeler in Fairfield on June 1, and the CIAC(Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference) statewide championship will be decided June 6 at Fairview Farms in Harwinton. Santilli says the squad will be ready.

"There’s no lack of enthusiasm on this team. These guys love golf and they love to compete. We’re all looking forward to the next few weeks."

Photo 1: Jake Moses; Photo 2: Jackson Fretty; Photo 3: Billy Nail. Photo credit: Contributed

— By Ronald Ropiak