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High school golfers warm up
By TERRY JONES Few golfers were able to keep up with Wharton's Mike Giammaresi last year as he led the Wildcats to their best season. He is still the player to beat, but several, including some talented freshmen and sophomores, will challenge him. Giammaresi leads a loaded Wharton team this year, but Chamberlain, Gaither, Sickles and Alonso will also be in the hunt for a berth in the state meet. First-year Freedom and rebuilding Leto will be on the links as well. ALONSO: Although only in its second year and with only one golf season under its belt, Ravens coach Rudy Toth is optimistic about his team. Four veterans that helped the team go just one match under .500 last year are back. Toth plans to build around Brian Powe, Justin Stefanski, Craig Burr and Kyle Smithey. "We have some promising youngsters coming out and our returning players have improved," Toth said. "We are definitely moving in the right direction and our boys' golf future at Alonso looks good. I am expecting a successful season from the guys this season." CHAMBERLAIN: Chiefs coach Hank Bontrager has a happy problem. All but two players are back from last year's team, which placed second in the district, and 15 players are competing for the starting spots. Robbie Barenbrugge, a three-year letterman, leads the veteran corps, which includes Joseph Mills, Harry Hutson, Kennedy Fisher and David Hobson. Also seeking playing time are successful youth circuit freshman Brad Brunner and junior T.C. Seibert, a transfer from Gaither. Chamberlain has the horses to do well in the regular season and earn a spot in the state meet. "All of our guys are committed," Bontrager said. "Most of them played a lot during the summer and are looking forward to a good season. This team certainly should be better than average and could be in the thick of things at districts. We will host districts this year. It looks like a fun year of golf for us this year." FREEDOM: David Carrier was chosen to develop and build a boys golf program for the Patriots. He will probably need a few weeks to develop a starting lineup to meet Freedom's schedule. GAITHER: The Cowboys are in a building season, but coach Jim Morrissey is not without a talent base from which to build. He will start with a pair of veterans, seniors Thomas Alvarez and Shane Burda, and some promising prospects who have moved into the school. The Cowboys were fourth in their district last year and Morrissey has hopes the team can climb this year. "Although we have only two veterans, the younger players are looking good," Morrissey said. "I feel we will do better than last year and hope to make the regional tournament." LETO: Robert Scott is the only golfer back for the Falcons this year. The team struggled last season. Coach Tom Brooks has been recruiting players to rebuild the Leto program. "So far everyone other than Robert is either new to Leto or to the game of golf. This will require a teaching season," Brooks said. "However, these kids have a lot of heart and I expect them to do the best they can against some of the toughest competition in the area. I'm sure they will progress steady." SICKLES: The Gryphons graduated five starters from a very good team last year. A pair of sophomores, Miles Dorsey and Kyle Sota, are the only returning players. "We have some good players coming up to fill the slots," coach Gary Cucchi said. "They are young, mostly freshmen and sophomores, but are excited about the team. I have high expectations for this young team." WHARTON: Back from last year's team, which placed eighth in the state, are the Wildcats' No. 1 player, Giammaresi, and No. 2 Patrick Gibson. Also back are starters David Tiffenberg and Barrett White. Wharton coach John Benson says White was the best putter on the team, averaging under 37 per nine. The Wildcats could very well be the top team in Hillsborough County and maybe even Florida. They have the experience, talent and the depth to challenge for Wharton's first state golf championship. "We deliberately went out to add some of the top teams around the state to our schedule to press ourselves toward the state meet," Benson said. "It is doubtful we will be undefeated by districts, because of the tough schedule. But we expect to do well and be prepared for the state tournament. Right now I have four or five players battling for the top spot." In addition to its eighth-place state finish, Wharton won its Western Conference, district and regional meets.
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