Men’s Golf looks forward to next season after disappointing loss at City Championship
by David Chang

Some people believe that golf is a sport that is neither competitive nor exciting. However,   the Northside Men’s Golf Team has changed this stereotype. Each player attempts to strike the ball with a sense of pure athleticism and confidence, hoping to instill sportsmanship on and off the field. The men’s golf team also has team chemistry unrivaled by many other sports teams at Northside.

“Our team has excellent team chemistry,” Andrew Sonta, Adv. 106, said. “After school, I always look forward to going to golf practice and spending time with my teammates. We are like a band of brothers.”

The men’s golf team, which consists of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, was content but not satisfied with their season of five wins and one loss.

The Northside Men's Golf Team has changed the game of golf through their team unity, game strategies, and charisma. Photo courtesy of Spencer Kennedy.

“This year, we faced many challenges in our season,” Dan Kosmala, Adv. 105, said. “One of the biggest obstacles was when we faced Whitney Young in the City Championship. We lost only by a couple of strokes, and there is no possible way we are not winning it all next year because we will be fundamentally sound.”

Whitney Young had the only golf team that defeated the men’s golf team in a match this season. The men’s golf team is looking forward to facing Whitney Young’s golf team next year.

“Whitney Young has lots of depth in their golf team, and this is what makes them a very respectable opponent,” Sonta said. “They have a very talented sophomore, Omari Whitmore, and he puts up great numbers in many matches.”

Although the men’s golf team came up short at the City Championship, Spencer Kennedy,

Adv. 110, won the Boys Public League Golf Championship on October 3 at Jackson Park due to his individual performance in a one-hole, sudden-death playoff.

Many people underestimate the complexity of golf and think that they can compete with Tiger Woods without ever picking up a club and practicing.

“There are many things people do not know about golf,” Tom Brekke, Adv. 102, said. “Players have to be physically and mentally fit on game-day. You have to be focused during every shot whether it is on the tee-box, the fairway, the rough, or on the green.”

When golf is shown on television, professional golf players are usually seen with “classy” clothing apparel such as a polo shirt and a pair of dress pants. The players always seem to maintain their poise and respect their opponents’ games.

“What separates golf from other sports is that the game is all about sportsmanship and showing class,” Kennedy said.

Sonta and Brekke both made it to state sectionals and continue to look forward to improving their games in the off season.

“In the offseason, I am planning to improve my short game,” said Brekke. “I am going to work on my putting and chipping.”

Members of the men’s golf team agree that golf is a sport that requires team effort and daily practice, two things they believe will pay off in the future.

“We are aiming for a perfect season next year through a complete team effort and hard work in our practices at the golf range,” said Kennedy.

The men’s golf team daily practice at the golf range and course helped the team win second place at the 2009 City Championship. However, the men’s golf team hopes to place first at next year’s City Championship.

“We will not sleep until we win the city title,” Fabian Lara, Adv. 206, said. “There are many areas of our game that need improvement.”

The Northside Men’s Golf Team hopes that their positive attitude and mentality will help them continue to succeed in the years to come.