May 9, 2008
Golfers drive past Darien, Ridgefield
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Putting together a lineup for the New Canaan High boys’ golf team has been a fairly simple task for Head Coach Bill Brown the past couple of years. Blessed with a wealth of talent, Brown’s Rams typically had golfers step in and form a clear top five.
This year, it’s a bit different, with several kids willing and able to play at the varsity level. It’s given Brown a little more to think about when penciling in his lineup, and the coach admitted, this good be a very good thing for the Rams.
“The last two years, I had that group of five every match,” the coach said. “This year we’ve had to shuffle around a little bit with the four and fives, but I think it might end up being a good thing for everybody. More kids will have played, we’re getting some experience and we’re right on track.”
And it certainly hasn’t hurt the team on the scorecard. With big wins over Darien, Ridgefield and Fairfield-Warde during the past week, New Canaan is again at the top of the FCIAC with an 8-0 record.
They’ve gotten solid contributions at the top, with Curtis Loop, Devon O’Rourke and Andrew Krieger all in fine form, while a group of five has rotated through the fourth and fifth spots and performed well.
The others vying for time on the varsity course include Ross Kronberg, Brendan Foley, Crispin Live, Chris Falco and Eric Schneiber, with a pair of up-and-comers, freshmen Brian Tohir and CJ Swift, waiting in the wings.
“We’re still sort of looking for the right combination at four and five and I’ve used a few guys there,” Brown said. “Ross is very consistent around 40 and he’s hitting the ball well and Crispin Love played well (Monday). And we have a couple of freshmen — Brian Tohir and CJ Swift — who are playing well and they may see some time at the end of the year.”
It was the veteran trio of Loop, O’Rourke and Krieger taking center stage against Darien last Thursday, when the Rams defeated the rival Blue Wave 148-151 at the Country Club of New Canaan. Both team scores were season bests, and each team had three golfers shoot in the 30s on the par 35 course.
“Darien was excellent,” Brown said. “Their coach, Tommy O(’Donnell), said the 151 they shot against us was their best by eight or nine strokes. We shot a 148, which was our best score, so it was a tough match. Anytime we play Darien you know they’re going to be ready to play. We’ve been fortunate the last few years. I don’t recall the last time we lost to them, but we beat them by just one shot at the Country Club of Darien last year, so it’s always a close match.”
Loop and O’Rourke led the Rams with even-par 35s, while Krieger shot a 37 and Kronberg a 41. Foley was in the lineup and shot a 47.
For Darien (9-1), David Bushing took medalist honors with a 1-under par 34. Philip Winter was even with a 35, with Freddy Weber shooting a 39, Tim Wescott a 43 and Sean Fahey a 44.
On Monday at the Country Club of New Canaan, the Rams shot a 155 and defeated the Ridgefield Tigers by eight strokes.
Loop took medalist honors with a 1-over 36, followed by O’Rourke and Krieger with 39s, Love with a 41 and Kronberg with a 42.
For Ridgefield (8-3), Jake Hyatt and Ian Lawrence shot 37s, Ryan Brand shot a 42, and Mike Sturges and Dan Myers shot 47s.
Loop was again a medalist on Tuesday, shooting an even-par 36 as the Rams defeated Fairfield-Warde, 158-172, at Brooklawn CC.
Kronberg also had a good day, shooting a 2-over 38, followed by O’Rourke with a 41, Krieger with a 43 and Love with a 47.
For Warde (4-7), Nick Aiken shot a 40, followed by Eric Bailey with a 41, Tyler Bisaca with a 45 and Darren Ziller with a 46.
The action will be fast and furious for the Rams, who will have played 12 matches in three weeks by the time the regular season ends May 21.
Next week’s action will be particularly grueling, with matches at Wilton (7-0), Danbury (6-2) and Greenwich (9-1) on tap.
“It’s good in a way because if you do well, you’re able to continue that momentum the next day,” Brown said. “And if you do poorly, you don’t have much time to think about it because you’ve just got to get back out there the next day and play.”
With New Canaan looking for its second straight FCIAC and fourth straight State championship, there aren’t many opponents who will be looking past the Rams.
“Teams want to play their best against us,” Brown said. “We’re pretty much the measuring stick, which is fine. We’ve been able to win most of the close matches we’ve had the last couple of years. We’ve had several teams shoot their best against us and we’re still fortunate enough to win.”
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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