While this year’s varsity golf team might be the oldest and most experienced he’s ever had, head coach Serge Hogg is keeping his hopes grounded for the team, predicting a record of 4-4.

Senior team captain and four-year varsity player Trey Profili said, “This year is very special because we are all seniors and three of us have been on the team for four years.”

The other seniors Profili refers to are four-year varsity players Jon Borowy and Brad Ross, two-year varsity players Ryan Troutman and Brian Connelly, and first-year varsity players Eric Nowicki and Stephen St. Clair.  Sophomore Danny Beil is also stepping up to varsity this year.

To prepare for matches, Hogg sits his team down and goes over each hole and discusses course management for the round.  Rarely having seen the courses the players are about to play on, Hogg tries to install a plan to make each player more comfortable.

 Scouting is “at a minimum,” according to Hogg, and in regards to preparing, he said, “This game will drive you crazy enough without having to worry about unknown treachery that can cost you the match and your sanity, temporarily of course.”

In the MIAA A Conference, the team faces unyielding competition.  Hogg has never coached a .500 team, so 4-4 is the most reasonable goal in his mind.  Profili feels that the team has potential for the year and could exceed expectations.

Hogg believes that this is the year that the Patriots golf team could make some noise in the A Conference, but thinks that the team needs to make a “big statement” early in the season to get jumpstarted.  “Teams don’t fear us and we need to change that,” he said.

Daniel Gallen can be reached for comment at [email protected].