The records show that right now there isn’t a better girls’ golf team in Section 9 than the Marlboro Dukes.

The Dukes have won all 15 of their matches this season, are 11-0 among Section 9 Division 5 schools and have already qualified two golfers for the upcoming Section 9 tournament.

“I’ve got a great core of girls this year,” Marlboro coach Gary Trapani said. “This is the first time I’ve had girls that can play in spots 1 through 4. So, it’s fun watching them develop and get better.”

The Dukes, who are led by Alexa Trapani, who qualified for the state meet last year as a seventh grader. She’s in the top spot.

Gwen Benninger and Madison Markle have been in the two and three spots all season.

Rebecca Panio has been in the No. 4 spot.

“She’s been developing nice,” coach Trapani said. “This is her first year playing competitive golf, but she’s got a background in it. She took lessons as a kid.”
Trapani’s older daughter, junior Taylor Trapani, has joined the team and is filling the No. 5 spot.

Also listed on the Dukes roster are Paige Brookes, Isabella DeSantis and Sydney Sladicka.

“It’s nice to have options,” coach Trapani said. “In the past, there were years where I’ve had no golfers. Then last year, I had Alexa and Gwen. Madison joined the team a little later. But they really put the time in, and all the girls play on the weekend. They do their five days with me, and they play with their dads on the weekend.”

The Dukes’ success started last season when they ran a 14-2 record and posted a 10-0 record in the division. Everyone returned from last year’s team, and the Dukes are well on their way to their next division title and have their eyes set on the Section 9 tournament.

So far three players – Alexa Trapani, Benninger, and Markle – have already qualified for the Section 9 tournament, scheduled for May 21 and 22 at Apple Greens Golf Course, where the Dukes play their home meets.

“I knew we would be competitive, but I didn’t think we’d be shooting the numbers we’ve been shooting,” coach Trapani said. “Everyone’s going out and playing very well. Once in a while, it clicks with all three girls and they play well on the same day, and we put up some nice numbers.”

The Dukes would love to finish the regular season and head into the sectional tournament with an unblemished record. They’ve averaged a combined average of 138.5 strokes over the course of the season with four golfers. Their best performance came on April 29 when they shot a 128 to win six matches easily.

They’ll finish the season with two league matches – Red Hook and FDR – whom they’ve already beaten twice. Onteora provided them with their closest competition, a 154-157 win on April 23.

They’ll also face the Warwick Wildcats, of Division II, who averages about 148 per match.

“It’s just been a pleasure watching these girls develop and start to get a real love for the game,” coach Trapani said. “With golf being such a commitment, it’s not what kids want to do. It’s been a great ride, and I can’t wait to see how they do.”