- Mike Zummo
Last fall was a long one for the Wallkill boys’ golf team.
The Panthers struggled to a 2-10 record during the Mid Hudson Athletic League boys’ golf season. MHAL teams play their regular seasons in the fall and compete in the Section 9 and New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship meets in the spring.
The Panthers have lost Carl Piperato-Foti, who golfed for the team from seventh until 12th grade, but returnees Trevor Strano, Will Hernandez – a Section 9 qualifier – and Michael Fanning are expected to anchor the team. Returnees Seth Gibbons, Gus Hansen and Ryan Greene will split time at the fourth spot.
Newcomer Luke Adams will join a team that coach Bill Earl said will be much more competitive this year. They’ve already had some success, splitting a pair of matches between Saugerties and FDR. The Panthers dropped their season-opening match of Saugerties, 185-194, and edged FDR 167-168.
“The team is stronger with all of the offseason work,” Earl said.
Overall, the Panthers are looking for a second-place finish behind a strong New Paltz team.