April 30, 2004
by David Goott

Golf benefits from nearby range
Now in its second year, the JDS golf team hopes to improve upon a successful first season by taking advantage of its relationship with the management of the White Flint Golf Park.

Last year the Lions finished first out of seven teams in the PVAC, but ended their season with a fourth place finish in the playoff tournament.

photo by Zachary Krame

Jordan Fabian practices at the White Flint Golf Park, where the golf team plays for free.

This season, the Lions are 4-1, with two wins over the St. Anselm’s Panthers, a win against the Washington International School Red Devils, a win against the Barrie Mustangs and a loss to the Sandy Spring Wildebeests.

First year head coach Zachary Lese, who currently attends Montgomery College, provides new leadership this season. Lese has played in several large tournaments and hopes to transfer to a larger college next year to play golf.

Lese generally conducts two practices and coaches one match each week. Practices are held at the White Flint Golf Park, only a few minutes away from the school, and matches are held at various golf courses in the area.

The Golf Park’s management allows the team to hit balls at the driving range for free, and in return the school puts advertisements for the range in school publications.

Wes Gribas, a Golf Park employee, has no complaints about the behavior of the team.

He explained the reason that the decision was made to allow the team to practice there, saying that the management is “always willing to help out junior teams in the area.”

According to junior Jordan Fabian, the one minor drawback to the White Flint driving range is that the putting green there is made of Astroturf while the putting greens at their competitions are grass. Therefore, the team does not practice its putting at the driving range, but instead uses its time hitting longer shots off the tee.

“In general, putting is left up to the individual to practice on their own,” said Fabian.

According to sophomore Josh Starr, practices usually consist of the players hitting a lot of balls, with the coach walking around and observing, giving instruction when necessary.

“Coach helps us out with certain aspects of our swing that may need improvement,” Starr said.

Although anybody on the team can hit during practices, only five of the 14 players have the opportunity to play during matches. “Everyone on the team understands their role and it has never become a problem,” said Lese.

According to Lese, the five-player lineup is not ‘set in stone,’ as there is always the chance that somebody could be moved up. If he feels that a different person deserves to play, he explained, then that person will get a chance to play.

Acccording to freshman Evan Waghelstein, the depth and consistency that the lineup possesses may offer an edge over other schools.

“Unlike other teams that may only have a star player at the number one spot, our team has good players at all five spots, and that will help us,” said Waghelstein.