Golf: Phantoms Drop Opener, But Look to Have Strong Season

LIMERICK-Heading into the Pioneer Athletic Conference season opener, Phoenixville coach Steve Winnich, in his ninth year, was concerned about his Phantoms squad being able to overcome or fill the huge void left by graduating seniors Matt Rubino and Corey Smith.

“You can’t replace two amazing kids like that,” said Winnich. “[Rubino] contributed for four years ... and really had an impact and [Smith] just brought something special with him to every match as well as improving every year.”

Coming off a season in which the Phantoms made the final four, Phoenixville took to the links and got their PAC-10 season underway on Tuesday at Turtle Creek Golf Club in Limerick by dropping a 262-285 decision to cross-bridge rival Spring-Ford.

“We have some guys that I expect good things from this season,” added Winnich. “Matt Bierer, who always had the skill set, has really matured along the way and he is ready to step into the role of our No. 1 player. He has become very consistent and I think that consistency had come from his maturity.”  

Fellow seniors Brendan Bonner, Joe Moser and John Henry Leach will join Bierer as the quest for another final four berth gets in full swing.

Sophomores Matt Thompson, Andrew Peterson, Rob Miller and freshman Liam Bonner will be counted on to maintain the standards set over the past four seasons.

“Losing guys like [Smith] and [Rubino] is hard, but myself and Matt [Bierer] will have to step up and lead this team,” said Brendan Bonner. “There is some pressure there, but we know we need to score and set the tone for the young guys.”

Bierer led the way Tuesday with a round of 52. Brendan Bonner's 57, along with the scores of Leech (56), Thompson (60) and Miller (60) rounded out the five scores that counted during the match.

“We need to have everybody contribute this season,” said Winnich. “Our goal is to make sure we take care of the details and make little steps along the way. Our goal overall is to compete for a final four spot and get into the playoffs. Then it is anybody’s game.”

With 2010 PAC-10 champ Methacton and runner up Boyertown also graduating integral players, the door may be open for Phoenixville to step through if they can get the level of play that has come to be expected from the purple and black.

“Our scores have been OK so far,” said Winnich. “We need to get better around the greens as a whole. We have a young team and it will being a growing process, but I think the senior leadership that we have will really help the underclassmen mature.” 

Spring Ford (262)                            Phoenixville (285)

John Foley                    50               Matt Bierer               52

Bennett Detweiler            52            John Henry Leech             56

Stephen Palazzolo            53            Brendan Bonner            57

Tyler Keim                   53                Rob Miller               60       

Jack Andrews              54                 Matt Thompson            60

2011 Phoenixville boys' golf schedule

8/25     @ Boyertown                   Hickory Valley            3:00

8/30      Pottsgrove                   Pickering Valley            3:00

9/2       @ Pottstown                     Brookside C.C             3:00

9/8       Perkiomen Valley            Pickering Valley            3:00

9/12     Downingtown East            Pickering Valley            3:00

9/15     Upper Perkiomen            Pickering Valley            3:00

9/16     @ Owen J. Roberts            Bellwood C.C             3:00

9/19     Coatesville                  Pickering Valley            3:00

9/20     Upper Merion             Pickering Valley            3:00

9/21     Methacton                   Pickering Valley            3:00

9/26     PAC-10 singles              Gilbertsville G.C            all day