Golf Preview: Quinn, Delbarton set to tee off

Evan Quinn has just one more season to dominate the headlines before he heads off to Princeton University. The Morristown senior is planning to play golf in college, but only after closing out one of the most brilliant careers in Morris County and New Jersey state history.

“I’m looking toward the future, no question,” Quinn said. “This is not the last stop on my golf career. I want to bring my game to the next level, and if I want that, I have to be as solid as I can be on the high school level. I have some unfinished business I have to take care of. I’ve had some poor performances in the past at the (Tournament of Champions).”

Quinn has had some tough times at the TOC, shooting rounds of 84 in each of the past two years to fall out of contention after entering as the player to beat.

The All Daily Record Cross Country Runner of the Year this fall, Quinn was All Daily Record Golfer of the Year in 2014. He is a huge believer in the mental approach, visually approaching each shot, seeing the shot in his head before he takes it.

“I can’t expect to be hitting every shot pure,” Quinn said. “But what I’ve done so far this spring, it looks good. I was glad to see I kept my touch over the winter. ... I got to play a lot in the winter. I hit a lot of balls. I worked on my short game and getting some consistency there. I’m really happy with the short game. I’m getting there, especially mentally.”

While the rest of Morris County’s individuals will be chasing Quinn, the teams will be all shooting for Delbarton, which earned All Daily Record Team of the Year last spring for the sixth time in seven years.

The Green Wave suffered a huge loss with Will Voetsch’s departure for Rice University, but veteran head coach Sean Flanagan is certain that the team will contend for area top honors once again.

”For the first time in seven years, we’re without a Voetsch (standout John was a Green Wave golfer), so it’s a little different," Flanagan said. “I wish the family had a few more golf-playing brothers.”

Delbarton spent last week playing at Calusa Pines in Naples, Florida, getting a ton of experience together. Senior Griffin Carroll, a four-year varsity golfer who earned All Daily Record second-team honors last spring, will lead the Green Wave.

Senior Cole Tavani, juniors Bobby Mulcahy and Ryan Criqui will also contribute. Bobby Mulcahy’s grandfather, Bob, was the former athletic director at Rutgers and was president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Ryan Criqui’s grandfather, Don, is a sportscaster known primarily for his radio coverage of Notre Dame football.

“They are both legit scratch golfers,” Flanagan said. “Bobby is going to push Griffin for our No. 1 spot. Ryan has a lot of talent once he realizes it. He has so much potential.”

Senior Joe Okunak and a trio of sophomores — Andrew Perry, Ryan Stefanick and Jack Sameth — round out the deep Green Wave squad.

“They all have some varsity experience,” Flanagan said. “Perry has a lot of potential and has played in a lot of AGA tournaments. I think they all have some serious potential. It’s a good position to be in, having that kind of depth. They are also interchangeable, so that helps.”

The Green Wave opens their season Monday against Morristown-Beard.

They will look to defend their Morris County Tournament title on April 28 at Flanders Valley. The NJSIAA sectionals are May 16 and 17, with the Tournament of Champions May 23 and the NJAC Championships May 31.

With Ryle Hegarty and Colin Peters back, Mendham should be a solid contender, as will Chatham with two-time All Daily Record first-team honoree Matt Gentile and teammate Alex Chen returning.

Morristown should also be solid, with Luke Haralampoudis and Quinn leading the way.

“I’m real excited about our team,” Quinn said. “We have a pretty mature team, and we have a talented team. I’m real excited to see what we can do.”

Golfers to watch

Lucas Artigliere, Madison sophomore: One of the most improved golfers in 2015, Artigliere finished his freshman campaign with a 74 at the NJAC Championships, good for a tie for third with Evan Quinn.

Nick Axelson, Roxbury senior: Axelson shot a 75 to win the Morris County Championships, the first Roxbury golfer to earn the county title. He also shot a 84 at the NJSIAA sectional and a 77 for 10th at the NJAC Championships.

Griffin Carroll, Delbarton senior: With Will Voetsch graduated, Carroll has to be the leader of the Green Wave.

Alex Chin, Chatham junior, and Matt Gentile, Chatham senior: A consistent 1-2 will help the Cougars compete in Group II this season. A two-time honoree on the All Daily Record first team, Gentile averaged 38 over nine holes last spring. He shot a 78 at the NJSIAA North 1 & 2 Group II sectional. He also shot a 73 at the NJAC Championships to finish second.

Luke Haralampoudis, Morristown senior: A fine ball striker in his own right and will get to prove himself.

Ryle Heraghty, Mendham junior: Heraghty shot a 74 at the North 1 & 2 Group III sectional, finishing second by a stroke. He shot an 84 to finish 13th at the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions. He had a 72 to win the NJAC Championships.

Colin Peters, Mendham junior: Peters has spent the offseason working on his consistency. If he can find the range that enabled him to shoot a 75 at the NJAC Championships, then he and Heraghty will give the Minutemen a solid 1-2 punch.

Brian Quilty, Roxbury senior: A consistent low scorer for the Gaels, Quilty now has to take the step up into the county’s elite.