PHS Golf Clicks in Win Over WW/P-S, Seniors Primed to Defend County Title

Bill Alden

Even though it got off to a 9-2 start in dual-match play this spring, the Princeton High boys’ golf team hadn’t really clicked on all cylinders.

“You never know which guy is going to play well in any match,” said longtime PHS head coach Sheryl Severance, who acknowledged that her team misfired in defeats to Westfield and Moorestown. “In the losses, we didn’t pull it together.”

Last Wednesday, though, the pieces fell into place for PHS as it scored an impressive victory in toppling previously undefeated WW/P-S 195-202 at Springdale Golf Club.

The Little Tigers were led by senior Curtis Smith who fired an even-par 35 in the nine-hole match. He was followed by classmate Will Madden, who scored a 37, with fellow senior Jon Bichsel carding a 38.

Severance was relieved by her team’s superb performance. “We did come together, finally,” said Severance with a laugh.

“This was the first time all three seniors played well at the same time. They didn’t play well on Tuesday (a 218-258 win over Ewing) but that was an easier match. They rose to the occasion against WW/P-S.”

Smith produced the cleanest round of the day and maybe the season in the win over WW/P-S.

“He played really steady, he made nine pars,” said Severance, whose team topped Ewing again last Monday, winning 189-254 to improve to 11-2 in dual match play. “He didn’t make the brilliant shots but he was never in trouble.”

PHS’ most consistent performer this spring has been Bichsel and he kept rolling against the Pirates. “Jon has had a great year, he’s been really strong,” added Severance. “He has a lot of confidence; he’s been hitting the ball well.”

Perhaps the most heartening effort came from Madden, who had been projected as the team’s top player but has been plagued by inconsistency. “I’m disappointed for him, he’s a better player than the scores have indicated,” said Severance. “He told me that he’s feeling real good. He’s been hitting his drives; I think he will play well down the stretch.”

Severance got some courageous play from junior Brian Dunlap and freshman Fraser Graham to round things out last Wednesday.

“Brian started off rough, he had a bad drive on No. 1 but then he came back and had a respectable round,” said Severance, who got a 41 from Dunlap with Graham shooting a 44.

“Fraser had disastrous 10 on the third hole, everything went wrong for him. He would hit the ball well and it would go off a tree. I think he was at par the rest of the way.”

With the Mercer County Tournament (MCT) slated for May 7 at Mercer Oaks and the state sectional set for May 12, Severance is hoping her players will be consistent the rest of the way.

“I believe the WW/P-S win will be a turning point,” asserted Severance, whose team is the defending county champion and has won four of the last six MCTs.

“The match against WW/P-S really gave them confidence. I could see it today in practice; they were going for shots. I’m feeling a little better, I’m glad we have the county tournament before the first round of states.”

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