Madison Golf Hopes To Ride Strong Start To District Title

Robbie Hecht was glad to find a few golf balls in the bushes behind the 18th green during a recent practice round at Westfields Golf Club. It meant he had some more media on which to write teasing messages to his teammates a hole behind.

It’s that kind of easygoing leadership that should help Hecht and first-year coach Derrick Rauenzahn create a challenging yet welcoming atmosphere for a Warhawks squad that got young very fast: Since they last took the green, the Warhawks lost five seniors (including state qualifiers Tommy Curley and Al Hubbard) to graduation and a pair of upperclassmen to injury and interest in another fall sport, respectively.

Hecht and freshman Shannon Brooks, one of the top female golfers in the region, should be the No. 1 and No. 2 players for Madison, with sophomores Joel Choi and Won Suk Rhee taking rank at spots three and four, according to Rauenzahn.

“They’re a fun bunch of kids to work with,” said the coach, who is a teacher at the school and had previously been one of the school’s athletic trainers. “We have a strong top of the lineup and then after that we’re young and inexperienced. But it was my goal to get as many kids experienced early in the season.”

The Warhawks did that by playing some early season invitationals, and it seems to have paid off. With a win Thursday against Fairfax High School, they move to 5-0 on the season; they've already posted wins over Marshall and South Lakes in a tri-meet and over Stone Bridge and Jefferson in a dual meet at the end of August.

Hecht, whose cousin Christian is also in the mix to be a regular scorer for Madison, said he thinks Choi's and Brooks' skills will more than make up for the lack of experience.

“We make some mental mistakes and don’t always think everything through, but I think we have the potential to surprise a lot of people,” he said.  “With young players a lot of the time it’s just learning from watching older guys play. Hopefully we’ll be playing more solid by the time we get (to the playoffs).”

Brooks, who just turned 14 on Aug. 27, recorded the highlight of her short career during a junior tournament over the summer with a hole-in-one.

“It was at Piedmont (in Haymarket), on hole No. 16, and I hit a seven iron, 127 yards. It went really high and landed in front of the hole, and I thought I was going to be close for a tap-in birdie, but it spun forward and went in,” she said. “It was exciting, I never thought I would get one.”

Not bad for someone who began practicing with her father as a five-year-old, but has only been playing on a course four five years.  

“She’s a very special player,” said Rauenzahn, who was not only impressed with her recent under-par round, but also the way she saved par on the 17th hole and birdied 18 during a different day when she wasn’t playing her best. “She maintains an even keel and does a nice job staying composed during a round. Her maturity and poise is remarkable for her age.”

Along with Brooks, the Warhawks have Choi, who transferred to Madison late last winter. He played golf for his high school team in Ellicott City, Md., but has found the Northern Virginia players to be stronger. The tougher competition has been good for Choi, as he carded his first under-par score for nine holes in a high school match just last week.

“Here, you definitely want to play the best you can, and you have to rely on the team” he said. “I know Langley is going to be challenging and Thomas Jefferson is going to be challenging, too. Everyone’s really focused, and it has definitely helped my game.”

Last year the Warhawks placed third in the region, just missing out a state berth as a team. This year, even without as much experience, their goals are to win the Liberty District and compete for the Northern Region title. As added incentive, the state tournament will be held in Fairfax County, at Laurel Hill in Lorton.

“The (Stallion Invitational) was the best I’ve seen our kids play this year, and I’d love to see them back on that course,” Rauenzahn said. “It’s a huge advantage going to a course and knowing you’ve played well there.”

This article has been updated with Thursday's results.