Golf: Upper Dublin Sweeps Upper Merion, Falls to Trojans

The Golf team is off to a promising start in their 2011 campaign, sweeping the Upper Merion Vikings in a pair of matches and falling six strokes short against the Wissahickon Trojans.

On Aug. 23, the Cardinals took to their home turf at the LuLu Country Club against Upper Merion in the first match of the season, coming away with a convincing 204-237 win. Upper Dublin junior Andrew Carber's 37 led the Cardinals against the Vikings in the 9-hole match. Coach David Koch's "wily veterans" rounded out the scoring as Tom O'Brien shot a 40, captain Jon Bebey a 42, Jake Kieserman a 41 and Liam Duke a 44.

Koch was also quick to point out successes by the team's underclassmen.

"The fab three freshman finished their first varsity match with an excellent effort," said Koch. "It was amazing to see their scores."

Freshman Mark Lunney led the trio with a 45, while Matt Amey shot a 47 and Andy Dunnam a 53.

The Cardinals were back in action against Upper Merion the very next day, this time taking to the opposition's home course at the Gulph Mills Golf Club. However, the result was no different, as the Cardinal and Gray played their way to a 203-245 victory.

Andrew "Thirtysomething" Carber (as named by his coach) again led the Upper Dublin attack against the Vikings, finishing the day with a 37 despite two double bogeys. By the end of the day, Koch was firing off monikers for his golfers left and right:

"Jake 'The Snake' Kieserman hit the pin while extricating himself from a tough bunker."

"Sarah 'Lowside Putt' Easton was staring at an amazing 37 except for an unfortunate five put."

"Jon 'Otis' Bebey shot a 39 without a birdie. That is consistency."

"Harry 'It's Never Too Late' Sykes started poorly but finished like a champion."

Unfortunately, the colorful coach and team could not muster a win against rivals Wissahickon Aug. 26, falling to the Trojans in a nail-biting 196-202 defeat at the .

"[Wissahickon] once against rose to he occasion, and shot their low score of the season," said Koch. "I've never beaten them as a coach at Cedarbrook, but we're not discouraged and can't wait until they come to LuLu."

Easton and Bebey led the Cardinals in that matchup, each shooting a 39, while Carber (41), O'Brien (41), and Kieserman (45) rounded out the scoring.

The Cardinals next take to the fairways at Plymouth-Whitemarsh Wednesday at 3 p.m.