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Panthers' getting closer, already eclipses last year's record If there is any indication that the Sweet Home boys' golf team is better than their 0-8 season last year, all you have to do is check out the score of their first match of the season held last Thursday - Sweet Home 296, Amherst 298 (lowest team score wins). In fact, Sweet Home coach Mike Tojek feels the team can finish with a .500 record. "It's been tough, but the kids are finally starting to come into their own," said Sweet Home coach Mike Tojek. The program is also gaining more golfers. When Tojek took over the program three years ago, only 14 kids tried out. This year, Tojek has 21 on the roster. "We're finally starting to see the numbers again," he said. "We're getting better athletes who played before and who are willing to dedicate themselves to high school golf." Another plus for the program is Tojek only lost one starter (Dan Balsom) to graduation and there is only one senior starter, Brian Barnes, on this year's roster. Third-year player Ryan Kaminski replaces Balsom as the team's No. 1 golfer, although Tojek feels junior Brett Guynn, the team's No. 2, could be the top golfer by the end of the season. Kaminski, who Tojek describes as steady, played at the second or third slot last year. Guynn was in the bottom of the starting eight and is starting to capitalize on mistakes he made on courses, said Tojek. Both average around 41 for nine holes. Junior Jesse Koester, sophomore Damien Annas, junior David Sykes, sophomore Tyler Schrembs, Barnas and junior Mark Rusch comprise the three through eight starting spots. Barnas, the team captain, has played varsity since he was a freshman. Koester and Sykes enter their third years; Rusch is back for his second year; and Schrembs and Annas are newcomers. Koester's game has evolved in his three years on the team. "When he was a freshman, he didn't know how to swing a club and hit in the high 50s and 60s," said Tojek. "Now he's consistently shooting around 42 and hitting the ball 30 to 40 yards farther than last year. He's easily hitting the ball 280 to 290 yards. He's really worked his butt off." Tojek said Sykes consistently shoots between 43 and 44 and is good at motivating other players. "It's like having another coach out there," said Tojek. Annas and Schrembs approached Tojek at the end of the 2006 season about playing this year. Annas has already paid dividends, shooting a 39 against Amherst. Tojek expects results from Schrembs. "He has a lot of natural talent," said Tojek. "I think by his senior year he will be one of the better players in Western New York." Sweet Home doesn't play again until Sept. 18 when they play Williamsville South at Audubon Golf Course. Tojek hopes the individual improvements of his players translates into success.
"Balance has been our goal," said Tojek. "If everyone scores anywhere from 40 to 47, we will be able to compete with other teams. We might not win them all but we'll scare enough teams that it will put us in a good direction for next year." |
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