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Division II golf Mooney golfers ready for challenge at state
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
It’s been 25 years since Cardinal Mooney last won a boys state golf championship.
A quarter of a century is entirely too long to wait, even for head coach Bob Banks, who will complete his 49th year this fall.
He’s the mastermind behind the school’s two titles — back-to-back championships in 1988 and 1989. The Cardinals also boast third-place finishes in 1974 and 1996.
If they expect to walk off with this year’s Division II crown then his team had better bring their ”A” games and be ready to play, according to the area’s dean of golf coaches.
“Just qualifying as a team is a feather in our players’ caps,” Banks said. “I felt as if we were one of the best teams in the area and while we took our lumps in the middle of the season, we played well during both the sectional and district so we should be ready to go in Columbus.”
Play begins today at 9 a.m. on Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course.
Banks has taken six teams to state and individuals on two other occasions.
This year’s squad went 13-4. Compared to last season when the Cardinals fell short of qualifying, the season unfolded almost completely in reverse.
“Last year, we had a great regular season but did not play our best in either the sectionals or district,” said sophomore Ken Keller who posted a team-best 38.4 average. “It’s like a flip-flop of seasons for us as a team.
“We stepped up as a team when we needed to and we cannot wait to get started,” Keller said. “The strength of this team has been the play of our three, four and five players and we will need that this weekend.”
Nick Braydich, a junior and the Cardinals’ number two linksman, boasts a 39.6 average. He said that the last week of the regular season was a motivator.
“We played four matches that final week against South Range, Warren Harding, Boardman and Columbiana,” Braydich said. “We split those four matches but that week served as motivation for everyone, knowing we would have to play our best with sectionals coming up.
“One of my goals this year was to qualify for state as a team and we caught fire at the right time.”
Seniors Nick Hough and Matt Daprile provided leadership.
“We’re peaking as a team at the right time, but need all five players to continue to play their best in order to have a shot for a state title,” said Hough, who averaged 40.2. “I struggled at sectionals but rallied during district play. Putting will also be important. Anytime you put the ball in the hole you have a chance.”
Team closeness also played a factor in the success of the team, according to Matt Daprile, who sports a 42.4 average.
“We were really close as a team so there’s a special camaraderie. The younger players really stepped up and we will need that again this weekend in order to win it all,” Daprile added.
Braydich’s classmate, Joe Passerotti, carries a 43 average into state play.
“We know what’s on the line so the motivation is already there,” Passerotti said. “Getting in some extra practice before state has also been helpful for everyone.”
The Cardinals struggled at times against some of the better teams on their schedule, something they cannot afford this weekend.
“Dayton Oakwood is the two-time defending champion in Division II and they’ve won four of the past five championships,” Banks said. “They’re an excellent team.
“Also, we played Canton Central Catholic twice this year and they were fourth last year so this is a strong, very tough 12-team field.”