Boys' Latin vs Saints Peter & Paul ~ Post Match Summary

The Lakers played host to Saints Peter & Paul yesterday for the first match of the 2007 Season. Contested over the links of Suburban Country Club, the battle found Boys’ Latin opposite one of the Conference’s most formidable squads.

Assuming a posture of presumption, Saints Peter & Paul may have believed Boys’ Latin to be a weak opponent – one whom they would have little challenge defeating. However, having prepared for this match for some time, Boys’ Latin arrived ready to compete. Their eyes focused and their attitude stern, the Lakers began an afternoon of dogged competition that found them going the distance with the highly-touted squad of Saints Peter & Paul. On multiple occasions, the opposition shook their heads and furled their brows as one Laker after another refused to ease in their resolve or falter in their discipline.

Laker Junior Co-Captain Gates Blair found himself facing off against a peer member of his home course – a peer who has been the Junior Club Champion three years running and who has established himself as one of the Middle Atlantic’s top junior players. One year ago Gates Blair was shooting scores upwards of 120 and now, after twelve months of work, dedication, perseverance and training, he had dropped over 40 shots from his scoring average. This unprecedented improvement found him playing high in the Laker line-up and shaking hands pre-match with his opponent – the Junior Champion of his home course. Gates was not swayed by intimidation, however; and he put up a fight that was both admirable and inspiring. At the end of the day, they shook hands again – however this time with mutual admiration. Though victory would elude him, Gates Blair had proven himself a worthy opponent and a gritty competitor – and had secured the judgment of his junior champion peer as being a golfer of heightened ability.

Laker Team Member Ian Obligin faced-off against a talented member of the Saints Peter & Paul Squad – one who negotiated the layout of Suburban Country Club with a controlled fade and a deft short-game. The first hole at Suburban, a mid-length par four, found most players swinging driver or three-wood from the teeing ground. Ian’s opponent was no exception; and he executed his drive with precision, finding the right edge of the fairway and leaving himself a mid-to-short iron for his approach. In such a situation, it would not have been difficult for Ian to be rattled from his game plan – one which typically finds him favoring accuracy over distance. But Ian was undaunted and remained focused on his plan for success. When he pulled a four iron from his bag and began his pre-shot routine, a number of whispers could be heard amongst the gallery (in addition to a number of glances directed toward the coaches). “What’s he doing?” they asked, “Why is he hitting an iron?” “Doesn’t he see where his opponent is?” “This doesn’t make sense.” Yet, at the hole’s completion, Ian had made par – his opponent, bogie. A boring par beats an exciting bogie every time; and no member of the Laker squad understands that more than Ian Obligin.

Freshman Ben Whitman, in his first match as a Laker, played with the ability, focus, and strategy of someone years his elder – en route to a full sweep of his opponent. His course management reflected maturity and his swing aligned with mid-season form. Since the beginning of the season, he has cut nearly 8 strokes from his scoring average – and appears poised to continue in his development in the days ahead.

In the end, Saints Peter and Paul completed a full sweep of points in five of six matches. As is often the case however, the final score is not reflective of the true events of the day. Saints Peter & Paul may have found Boys’ Latin to be a more challenging opponent than initial presumption would have dictated. By having their best Opening Day showing in years, the Lakers went the distance with one of the MIAA’s preeminent contenders. In doing so, Boys’ Latin anchored new understanding and insight relative to their growth, their objectives and their disciplines. The Lakers remain staunch in their resolve to be conference contenders in 2007, and are unshaken in their focus for the time ahead.

Final Score: Saints Peter & Paul 17.5 / Boys' Latin 3.5

Victory at Bald Head ~ Spring Break Trip Proves Valuable for The Lakers

The Boys' Latin Golf Team traveled to Bald Head Island, North Carolina for a Spring Break experience that yielded new levels of game improvement, individual maturity, and group cohesion. Ten team members traveled along with Coaches Schreck, Euker, Vaughn and Champion to the secluded island off the coast of Southport in order to continue their journey of development as Laker Golfers.

Shuttled by private motor coach, the Team arrived to the Island on Thursday evening. Team discussion and dinner ensued before "lights out" was announced at 11:30 PM. Bright and early the next morning the team awoke to the sight of rain before them. Undaunted, the Team donned their raingear and proceeded to the golf course prepared to brave the elements. And do so they did, in classic fashion. The Lakers proceeded to complete a forty-five minute practice session before teeing off in the rain that morning. They battled the inclement weather for the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon - pressing forward in the face of wind, and wiping rain from the brims of their caps countless times between shots. Nine holes completed, then eighteen, then twenty seven before the darkness moved into the early evening. Following the completion of the on-course competition, another short game session awaited the Lakers - this one finding each team member responsible for making six consecutive six foot putts before returning to the house for dinner. One by one, team members completed the task - all in the rain and the cold - and rallied behind remaining team members who were still facing the challenge. When the final putt was holed, shouts of encouragement and pride echoed across the linksland surrounding them. At the end of the day, the Lakers stood victorious over the elements - reigning supreme in the face of Nature's failed attempts to derail their progress.

Precipitation did not await the Team the next morning - however decreased temperature and an onslaught of regular wind gusts promised to provide ongoing challenges for the Team. Stern in the face of these threats, the Lakers once again proceeded to the golf course - prepared for another day of firm focus and dogged discipline. One by one tees were pressed into the earth, and one by one the balls they held were propelled forward against a wall of wind and chill. The Lakers were ready for battle, and fight they did - shot after shot. Twenty-seven holes and two sixty-minute practice sessions later, the Lakers again stepped to the practice green to face their putting assignment - six connsecutive putts from six feet. One by one they completed the task, this time in more rapid succession than the previous day. As the final putt came to rest at the bottom of the cup, the hand the retrieved it extinguished the flame of the day's challenge. Again the Lakers found themselves standing upright in the shadow of victory - their day's mission accomplished.

Between time on the golf course, the Lakers spent time building group cohesion. Both large and small group activities were presented to team members - all of which yielded countless laughs and smiles for those involved. Team members have found new resolve and motivation through their individual relationships - friendship serving as the fuel of progress on and off the golf course.

The Lakers stand well-poised for the time ahead. Comraderie lifted and games nearing maturation, team members are beginning to show great promise. A successful Spring Break Trip now completed, The Boys' Latin Golf Team remains more focused than ever on its objectives for the 2007 Season - objectives seemingly positioned to be realized. Like the wind and the cold and the rain of Bald Head Island, the obstacles facing the progress of this team appear destined to be overcome.

Laker Game Development Program Launched ~ Participant Bullpen Squads Announced

A development program for young talent is being deployed for Boys' Latin Golf Program in 2007. This program will two squads of participants aligned with game advancement disciplines for the duration of the Spring Athletic Season. Each squad will be comprised of approximately 8 members and will hold sessions at Suburban Country Club on alternative weekdays opposite the Laker Varsity Team.

Core components of the Bullpen Game Development Program include: Golf Game Improvement, Mental Focus Advancement, Interpersonal Development, and Positive Self-Awareness. Squads will be under the influence of Head Golf Coach Mason Champion, and will be supervised and impacted directly by the individual teachings and guidance of Coaches Doug Schreck and Wendy Forbes. As well, interaction with Coaches Chad Vaughn, Keith Euker and Antoine Edmonds will occur and will align with creative impact opportunities throughout the season.

Listed below is the current roster of Bullpen Members and associated Squads:

Game Development Bullpen Squad A
Herbie May
Ben Levin
Chris Blondell
Andrew Holmes
Casey Stappler
Ryan Carey
Chris Rubino
Sam Snyder

Game Development Bullpen Squad B
Chris Barron
Sam Huber
Tyler Brewer
Will Pisano
Evan Black
Brendon O'Connor
Casey Alderman
Mark Pappas

Practice dates and times for the Bullpen Squads are included in the Online Practice Schedule. Please refer to it regularly throughout the season for information relative to practice details.

If a Boys' Latin student is interested in participating in the Game Improvement Program and his name is not included on the lists above, he may contact Coach Champion directly to be considered for Bullpen Assignment.

The Game Improvement Program promises to offer substantial value to its members, as well as the overall growth of the Golf Program at Boys' Latin. It stands as another example of the Program's committment to success and achievement.