By Mairead Mark, Sports Editor

The Monarch golf team anticipates another season of improving both as a team and individual golfers. Led by head coach Bernie Kosinski, the Monarchs look forward to adding achievements to their fairly young resume and bring home wins against competitors in the Non-Public B division. The five starters leading the way for the Monarchs are seniors Kailin BurnsCohen, Madeline Earle, Colleen Egan and Jackie Fletcher, and sophomore Kate Perrone.

Senior Colleen E. tees off for the Monarchs in a match against the Saint John Vianney Lancers and the Holmdel Hornets at Colts Neck Golf Couse on April 23. (Photo by Jackie Fletcher)

“Four out of five of our current seniors are starters, so I have seen a big difference from when they had never played golf before or even stepped on a golf course freshman year. Ultimately we have gotten better and better,” Kosinski said.

On April 9, the team competed in the first match of the season at Navesink Country Club against Holmdel. Although falling short by a score of 199-246, it was important to have the first initial opportunity for the starters to compete and acclimate themselves as a team once again.  

The team quickly regrouped and competed the next day against Rumson-Fair Haven. Although the Monarchs fell short again, they only lost by four strokes (227-231) and improved their overall score by 15 strokes.

Not discouraged by the 0-2 start, the Monarchs bounced back on April 17, recording their first win of the season with a 129-136 victory over Ranney.  

“Through wins and losses our team bond grows throughout the season because of the duration of our matches and how much time we spend together on the green,” BurnsCohen said.

In addition to spending hours with teammates, Fletcher enjoys another unique aspect of the sport. “Golf is an interesting sport because you have to walk the course with other girls so you really get a chance to not only compete but meet and talk with so many people in addition to spending hours with your teammates — which is so fun — so I really like that aspect of being in the Non Public B group,” Fletcher said.

Like other spring sports, the golf team expects to see significant improvement as the season progresses due to better weather conditions that will increase practice time, something many players lacked going into the first matches. “Four of our starters had not been on the course until April 9,” Kosinski said. “In terms of improving, the weather will help, as well as getting on the course more and more.”