Highlanders Hang Loss on Pioneers

Sean Keane and Scotland Preston each shot a one-over-par 37, highlighting a superb round as the Highlanders of Governor Livingston shot 157 on the day, defeating the New Providence Pioneers, who shot 177 at Ashbrook Golf Course.

Preston and Keane, GL’s top group, each started the day a little differently. Keane had three straight pars to open up the day, and only faltered on hole four, his only bogey of the day. Preston bogeyed holes two and three, but went on to finish with an exceptional score of 23 on the final six holes.

“I think we just tried to both make pars and birdies, and we just played well.” said Preston.

For the Pioneers, seniors Jason Scarpa and Sam Wizon shot a seven-over 43, and an 11-over 47, respectively. Scarpa, who is New Prov’s lone representative in the state playoffs, was one-under through the first two holes, but then went double bogey, double bogey, par in the next three holes. He went one-under the next three holes, but finished up with bogey, par, double bogey. Wizon never seemed to get control from the start, never going under par on any hole.

“I think I got caught in the rough a couple of times,” said Wizon. “I don’t think I played that badly, I think the course was a little rough, and I have a bit of a hurt wrist. I have to set myself up with better shots.”

In the second grouping, GL’s Will Ahkao shot a 42 and Joe Iorio shot a 41, while the Pioneers junior Tim Bovery had a 41, and freshman Sam Villagraso went for a 46. GL’s third pairing, Paul Hoehn and Ryan Finkelstein each shot a 43, while New Prov’s Matt Balog and Dan Zimmerman went for 51 and 48, respectively.

While the Pioneers are not in the team state tournament, coach Paul Miller sees good things for the team in the future.

“Well, we did have a few freshman out there, so we have a good future to look forward to at New Providence,” said Miller. Actually, GL played very good, this is probably one of their best rounds so congratulations to them."

Miller also had some encouraging statements on his lone individual state performer, Jason Scarpa.

“He’s a really hard worker and last year he was at the top group at the finish and we expect the same thing again this year.” said the coach on his senior star. “He’s a real strong player, he is probably averaging around a 39, although he didn’t shoot that today, and we expect a good round from him on Monday.”

The Highlanders are readying themselves for state play as well, however they qualified for the team playoffs. Their coach, Sharon Leahy, knows that if her first group continues like this, her team will be tough in the playoffs.

“They both had great seasons obviously coming off 37’s -- those are great rounds,” said Leahy. “I think if they continue to play like they have been, they have a great shot of coming out of state sectionals next week. I think if we all play our best then we have a great shot to come out of that and go to Tournament of Champions as a team.”