Skidmore men鈥檚 golf looks to compete for Liberty League title
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY. (BVM) 鈥� As the 2021 season is about to begin, the question of who will come out of the Liberty League is one that is far from answered. The Liberty League looks to be one of the most competitive in Division III golf, if the season does happen this spring. Among the many great teams, Skidmore seems to stand out.听
With the team returning four out of five starters it looks as though the boys will be able to get out to a hot start among the looming pandemic. Prior to the beginning of this season, junior Cole Vacca was named captain of the team. As great as Vacca is on the course, it鈥檚 his selflessness and willingness to help others which makes him such a key part of the team鈥檚 success. Along with Cole, the team returns Harry Grosso, Sean Hurley, Mark DeCourcey, Will Tone, as well as, senior Kenneth Harroy.听听
With an injured lineup last fall, the Thoroughbreds started five players who were brand new to their rosters starting lineup and still finished fourth in the Liberty League preview. This just goes to show the depth this team contains.听
At full health, the team was able to place six out of the 22 teams at the Duke Nelson Invitational hosted at Middlebury College. This effort was led by then freshman, Mark DeCourcey, who shot a 69 on the second day and led to him winning Liberty League Rookie of the Week.
The Thoroughbreds are led by coach Tom Oppedisanno, as well as assistant coaches Scott Berliner and Anders Mattson. As a former local PGA head golf professional, Coach Oppedisanno is able to provide the Thoroughbreds with top tier coaching while providing a connection with the premier local golf clubs such as Saratoga National GC. Oppedisanno has two Liberty League titles and has coached teams which have played at the highest levels of Division III golf.
Junior Harry Grosso talked about what the Thoroughbreds need to do to be successful in the upcoming season:
鈥淲e need to stay strict to our coach鈥檚 practice plans for us,鈥� Grosso said. 鈥淟earn from every prior tournament we play in leading up to league and play our best golf on the right day. We have the skill set we just need to produce at the right time.鈥�
In such a tough conference, timing is so important for success in a golf season. No matter how much talent a team may have, nothing matters unless their timing is right.听
Thoroughbred fans must hope that Grosso and the rest of the men’s golf team can time up a few wins in a row and take home the Liberty League title, something Skidmore has not possessed since 2016.
