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 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportsAction) caption:
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PHS Boys' Golf Team Caps Dream Season With Big Day at Tournament of Champions
By Bill Alden
As the Princeton High boys' golf team departed last Monday for the long trek to the Burlington Country Club to compete in the Tournament of Champions, the players were calm.
By the time they got near the course, the magnitude of the challenge ahead prompted more than a few butterflies in their stomachs.
"When we got on the bus the kids all said that they weren't nervous," recalled PHS coach Sheryl Severance.
"A couple of miles from the course, Peter [Teifer] said he was getting nervous. The other guys admitted that they were too."
But as they have done all spring, the Little Tigers shook off their nerves to produce some sparkling golf.
PHS shot a 324 to finish just one stroke behind Ramapo in the Group III standings. Overall, the Little Tigers finished sixth of the 24 teams that qualified as the state's best of the best.
Leading the way for PHS was Mike DiMeglio, who shot a 76 to finish third in Group III and tenth overall in the individual standings. Jordan Gibbs carded an 81 while Teifer had an 84.
Severance had mixed emotions as she assessed her team's effort. "I'm happy with how we did but I'm disappointed that it came down to one stroke," said Severance, whose team posted a 20-1 record in dual matches this spring.
"It's worse to lose by one stroke than by 10. You replay the shots and you think about the one that could've made the difference. I am happy that we beat some of the big guys like Haddonfield, Ridge, and Moorestown."
The Little Tigers certainly enjoyed seeing how their game stood up in the high-stakes, big-time atmosphere that pervades the Tournament of Champions.
"This was our goal this year," said Severance. "It was totally different than the sectional. There was a program, things were really organized. The people were excited; there were banners on the course."
After getting a taste of that excitement, the junior-laden PHS squad is looking to return to the event and leave with the big prize.
"I don't know if they saw themselves as a team that could win it all," added Severance. "Afterward they said you know we are juniors, we have next year to do this."
Based on how the Little Tigers won this year's Group III South and Central Sectional at Running Deer after stumbling at that step in 2004, Severance isn't betting against her charges.
"They were much more confident this year at the sectional," asserted Severance. "They were familiar with the course and they knew what to expect. The confidence really showed in their putting. Last year, they missed a lot of short putts. This year, they were aiming to hit the back of the cup."
As a result of that confidence, PHS produced a season that even bettered its undefeated campaign last spring.
"Even though we were undefeated last year, this year was certainly a step up," said Severance, citing the team's wins at the Cherry Valley Tournament, the Mercer County Tournament, and the sectional. "They came through when they challenged some of the best teams in the state."
Now PHS has to be mentioned early in any conversation regarding the top teams in New Jersey.
"They are happy that people are talking about them now,' said Severance, whose team finishes up the season by competing in the Greater Princeton Challenge on May 26 at the Princeton Country Club.
"They have brought attention to golf in Mercer County which has tended to get overlooked by a lot of people around the state."
PHS figures to be in the glare of the spotlight next season as its talented core looks to end their careers in style.
