Phillipsburg Boys Golf Cinches Division Championship

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - The future looks bright, and the present isn’t too shabby either, for the Phillipsburg High School boy’s golf program.

Led by David MacIsaac, the Stateliners took the top four positions in a 159-206 victory over Belvidere in a Skyland Conference Valley Division match on Monday on his P’burg’s home course at Architects Golf Course.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

The victory clinches the division championship for the Stateliners (9-3 overall, 8-1 division), who are enjoying their best season since going 12-3 in 2014 and 13-3 in 2013.

MacIsaac, a junior, shot a career-low 3-over par 38 for the third time this season and second time in three matches to take outright match medalist honors for the second time. MacIsaac had a case of bronchitis and missed a few matches this season but is back better than ever at the present time.

“David has been very consistent,” P’burg coach Bud Kohler said. “And the scary part, in a good way, is he has the potential to go even lower. Very even keeled on the course and it helps him playing with Eddie O’Neil. That’s one of the keys is to get these kids paired up who they are comfortable with. They play together outside of the high school season, and they really feed off of each other.”

O’Neil, a sophomore who has established himself as the No. 1 player for the ‘Liners this season finished second with a 39 and classmate Aidan Caswell and freshman Connor Blum tied for third with career-bests 6-over par 41s.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

“Aidan and Connor have been nice surprises,” Kohler said. “I’m looking at them at the range before the season started and thinking, okay, they have potential. Being a freshman and a sophomore and playing for the first time in competitive golf they just go out and try to play bogey.  That’s their goal and they’re doing very well.”

Phillipsburg has one regular season match left today against Voorhees at High Bridge Hills Golf Course before the upcoming Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament, the Skyland Conference Tournament and the state sectionals. ‘

“I’m glad we’re playing at High Bridge because that’s where the state sectionals will be held,” Kohler said. “At least the kids will get a look at the front nine.”

Kohler isn’t surprised by this season’s success even after losing the Stateliners best golfer from last season, Nick Blunt, to graduation.

“I thought coming off last year our record was deceiving, and we were much better than what the results showed,” Kohler said. “I knew with almost everybody back…This is what I expected. I really did. I expected us to be pretty good and the kids are showing that. And things are looking good for next year, too.”

Jackson Maczko and Mike Wakely are the only seniors on the squad who have played in matches this season.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net