Two Straight Wins for Trojans

By Frank Rizzo
SWAN LAKE — May 23, 2000 -- Playing a regular season match the day after the league individual championship tourney was definitely anti-climactic, but Jeff-Youngsville had enough left to beat Roscoe 233-236 and clinch its second straight Western Sullivan League (WSL) golf title.
The match was played on the par-36 front nine of Swan Lake CC, the home course of the Trojans.
And there was a certain justice in beating the Blue Devils, who, after all, have been the New York Yankees of WSL golf, winning nine titles in 13 years.
Last year the two teams split their two matches, but Jeff-Youngsville tied Tri-Valley while Roscoe lost to the same Bears, giving them respective league marks of 10–1–1 and 10–2.
Two years ago the rivals finished with the same 11–1 record, but Roscoe garnered the title by virtue of a better stroke differential in their two matches — which again, they split.
This year lacked the same drama, with the Trojans enjoying an undefeated league season and destined for the title from the opening match.
“We played the front nine (on Wednesday), and we weren’t used to it,” said J-Y coach Rick Ellison. “To give Roscoe credit they played well, and it was the best score by an opponent on our course in two years.”
The scoring line:
J-Y: Gregg Semenetz 41; Craig Corigliano 47; Curtis Corigliano 47; Sean Semenetz 48; Kyle Corigliano 50.
Roscoe: Craig Ryder 41; Justin Bowers 45; Dustin Bury 49; Lonnie Ackerley 50; Brian Bury 51.
“Despite losing Jared (Kubenik) we’re not too far behind last year’s team, maybe two strokes off,” Ellison said, referring to the defending Section IX champ. “Sean (Semenetz) came in and he’s been solid and steady as a seventh grader. Gregg (Semenetz) has shaved two strokes off his average. Craig and Kyle (Corigliano) have both played well. And there’s been a good battle for the fifth scoring spot with Matt Fulton, Curtis Corigliano, and Kurt Seibert.
“We have the depth,” Ellison added.
Roscoe coach Jim Bowers Sr. said his team’s showing this season “was better than I expected. It’s definitely rebuilding time.”
Bowers lost defending WSL champ Paul Stock Jr. as well as his son, Jim Jr., (the league MVP in 1999) to graduation.
This Blue Devil squad is young, with four eighth graders on the roster.
“The WSL is more competitive this year,” said Bowers, noting the tight battle for second behind Jeff-Youngsville. “Jeff lost Jared but remained strong and deep. We’ve had these kind of years before… we’ll be there (at the top) again.”