Sam Herrick has anticipated greatness from his group the second he took the job because the Nantucket varsity golf head coach final summer time. The Whalers had a powerful season final 12 months going 9-5, and so they return practically each golfer this fall. Herrick expects huge issues in his second season because the chief of this system.
“We will play eight guys this 12 months identical to final 12 months,” Herrick stated whereas driving on the primary gap on the Miacomet Golf Course. “Proper now these eight seniors are making it exhausting for me to take a look at anyone else proper now as a result of they’ve simply been placing in a lot effort and time over the summer time. We’re anticipating huge issues out of them this 12 months.”
There can be an attention-grabbing twist to the Whaler’s matches this season. Slightly than have head-to-head matchups the place Workforce A’s prime golfer faces off in opposition to Workforce B’s prime golfer, Workforce A’s second golfer faces Workforce B’s second golfer and so forth., the matches can be stroke play, which implies that the highest six golfers on every group can have their scores added up and whoever shoots the decrease rating wins. Every group can play eight golfers and choose the highest six scores of these eight.
“That a part of it’s simply actually thrilling as a result of it’s superior for groups who’ve a variety of depth and we now have that,” Herrick stated. “We’ve got a variety of depth and that’s the reason I set the expectations so excessive this 12 months. I don’t need to put an excessive amount of stress on them or myself however they’ve the instruments. From Miacomet Golf and Nantucket Golf being so beneficiant, every thing has been given to them to succeed. Now we now have to go earn it.”
The Whalers are led by senior Henry Kathawala, who has been making headlines this summer time for his sturdy play after taking pictures a 72 within the New England Skilled Golfer’s Affiliation Cape Cod Match earlier this month. In addition they have seniors Braden Knapp, Cole Chambers, Pat Carroll, and Colby O’Keefe who will seemingly spherical out the group’s prime 5. There can be a number of gamers, together with senior Ryan Davis, competing for that sixth spot within the lineup.
“There’s been guys simply attempting to gun for Henry’s heels proper now,” Herrick stated. “Cole Chambers and Braden Knapp have been enjoying wonderful. Colby O’Keefe took a job working at Miacomet and he is been enjoying a ton. His recreation has excelled in an enormous manner actually. So you already know you’ve got these 4 guys after which clearly you bought Patty Carroll, Ryan Davis, our new addition Jack (Halik, senior). He’s an athlete.”
Herrick stated for the primary time in this system’s historical past, the group might have to make a minimize. He’s anticipating to have 13 or 14 golfers. Given the elevated busyness of the Miacomet Golf Course within the shoulder season, he expects to go together with 12 golfers.
“It’s unlucky however it simply reveals you the way aggressive the game is getting,” he stated. “I feel COVID actually boosted the game up with golf being an outside exercise. Extra individuals are enjoying golf, and possibly with soccer being thought-about a extra harmful sport these days mother and father are pushing their children in direction of a sport like golf. And that’s coming from a Whaler soccer alum – I performed for Vito Capizzo.”
Herrick stated coming into 12 months two, he seems like his skill to educate his golfers can be higher now that he is aware of extra of them on a private stage.
“I do know these guys. I do know when the waves are up. I do know I can’t really matter on Patty Carroll to be there on time,” Herrick stated. “I do know these guys all work. They work actually exhausting, and I do know that. However with the off time arising I don’t really feel dangerous sending them a textual content being like ‘Hey are you out enjoying golf proper now as a result of I do know the surf is flat.’”
“However significantly, realizing these children has been a recreation changer. We’ve got an excellent relationship and so they belief the method,” Herrick added. “Belief the method identical to in every other sport.”
As for this group’s ceiling? Herrick made a daring declare.
“Actually these children might go undefeated. They actually might,” Herrick claimed. “They completely might however we play some good groups like Cape Cod Academy and St. John Paul II. I simply have a look at that depth we now have and it’s thrilling.
The Whalers start their season on Wednesday, September 6 at 3:45 p.m. in opposition to the Dennis-Yarmouth Dolphins on the island. You’ll be able to entry the total schedule by clicking here.
