RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Sharpsville golfers on top of their game

Not once this season but twice. That adds up to a real plus for Coach Jim Colley and his Sharpsville High golf team.
Recently, the Blue Devils flexed their muscles, powering their way to a convincing victory while running their record to 14-0.
What was so impressive about the victory was that five Blue Devils fired nine-hole rounds of under-40 rounds. That, my fellow golfers, is scorching the course.
It was the second time this season that the Sharpsville group achieved that feat, duplicating an effort against the Big Reds of West Middlesex.
Talent abounds
Once again Colley has been blessed with an abundance of talented young golfers. He stated earlier that he has six golfers who can shoot under 40.
His blue-chip players this season are Joel Pokorney and Matt Killa, who have been instrumental in the Blue and White attack.
The Blue Devils, by the way, are defending Mercer County Athletic Conference champions and have targeted the District 10 title this season. Their chances are extremely good.
In the win over Kennedy Catholic recently, the Blue Devils rolled with a team total of 182. Kennedy Catholic, which won over Slippery Rock, posted a 206 and Slippery Rock scored 225.
Sharpsville's Killa led the win, taking medalist honors with a nifty 33. Pokorney came in close second with a 36. In a dual match at Lake Arthur Golf Course earlier this season, Pokorney burned up the course with a fantastic 5-under-par 31. In that pair of wins over Sharon and Slippery Rock, Killa and John Bougher carded a pair of 37s.
Last Monday, in the District 10 Qualifier at Grove City Country Club, Pokorney, only a junior, blazed an even-par 72 to lead the field. Trailing Pokorney were Sharpsville's Matt Killa (77), Steve Killa (80) and Bougher (81). The Blue Devils completely dominated the qualifier.
The District 10 championships will be staged at Riverside Golf Club in Cambridge Springs Oct. 7-8, while the PIAA championship is Oct. 21-22.
In comparison
At my age, shooting in the low 40s makes it a good day. These young lions, however, shoot in the 30s and with regularity. They know how to score.
Which brings to mind a point often discussed by the senior set. What makes these kids so good? Better equipment today? Golf balls that travel much farther? Ample lessons? Whatever it is, these young golfers have the smoothest swings you have ever seen and they send the ball into orbit. They are tough.
Best of luck to the Sharpsville qualifiers as they prepare for the D-10 championships.
Animosity sensed
We sensed a little animosity from Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch with Coach Butch Davis. In a recent TV interview, Couch thought he should have been back in action earlier than Davis believed. He returned to action last Sunday and, following a slow start, rallied the Browns to a 31-28 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans.
Couch had been sidelined with a sore right arm after tearing scar tissue near his elbow in preseason. Davis had been starting Kelly Holcomb, a backup, who turned in a stellar performance in his showings. We'll see what happens today when the Browns take their show to Pittsburgh against the winless Steelers. It should prove interesting.