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The triumphant results that have occurred in favor of the Ocean City High School golf program thus far-and likely to continue occurring throughout the remainder of the season, is not an accident.
The Red Raiders feature solid coaching and a strong contingent of talented student athletes on the roster led by the team captains Kasey Clifford and TJ Stanton.
“Kasey leads by example,’’ Ocean City head coach Ed Ritti said. “She is the hardest working and determined golfer on the team. TJ is responsible and someone the coaches can lean on to do things the right way. Kasey is our number one golfer. She finished tenth in the prestigious Red Devil Tournament, fourth in the South Jersey Girls Tournament and she has already qualified for the CAL (Cape Atlantic League) Championships. TJ has improved his stroke average by two strokes per round over last year.’’
Clifford began her career on the links at the age of seven.
“My older brother and dad played so I wanted to follow in their footsteps,’’ Clifford said. “I also enjoyed watching the pros play on TV. Some of my strengths include a competitive attitude, hardworking, perseverance and my knowledge of the game. My dad, brother, and coaches have been some of my major influences in my golfing career and I owe everything I’ve learned to them.’’
As with all competitive golfers, Clifford has her strengths as well as areas that she’s like to improve upon.
“I would like to make my chips at least 10 feet from the hole, make good contact each shot and to drain more putts,’’ Clifford said. “I would like to stay in the 30’s for all of my rounds, win the CAL Championship and place within the top 15 in the (NJSIAA) NJ Girls State Tournament. I would love to place within the top five in Sectionals (as a team) and to keep a positive attitude for the rest of the season.’’
Stanton started competing as a competitive golfer as a 15 year old high school freshman.
“The tournaments on TV and my grandfather and father originally attracted me to the sport, also the competitiveness and camaraderie of the players,’’ Stanton said. “My strengths as a golfer are my knockdown shots, chips and my drives. Aspects that I would like to improve upon include my approach shots and my putting, also I would like to stop myself from getting upset after a bad shot.’’
Stanton would like to make to the CAL Tournament, shoot under 40 on a regular basis and have an 18-hole round under 80 this season.
“Goals for my team this season are to do good at the Carl Arena this year, do good at Sectionals, and to make it to the Tournament of Champions,’’ Stanton said.
Several people have helped Stanton become the noteworthy golfer that he is today. Those people include his father and his current high school coaches.
“Major influencers in my golfing career are my first coach Skip Angelo who took me under his wing for a while until giving me to my current coach Ryan Owens who has really made me the golfer I am today,’’ Stanton said. “Also my friends on the team like Josh (Barnes) who I play with on the weekends regularly to get more used to 18 holes and to test out different shots and strategies.’’
It’s important to note that Stanton and Clifford are also leaders in the classroom. Clifford will attend Westminster College and Stanton is leaning toward attending Ursinus.
“TJ received Distinguished Honors every marking period for the last two years and Kasey has been on the Distinguished Honor Roll all four years and National Honors Society,’’ Ritti said. “The dedication and perseverance these students demonstrates inspires the younger players to follow their path. It is an atmosphere that is contagious within a good team.’’
The Carl Arena Tournament is scheduled for May 2 at RiverWinds in West Deptford, The Sectional Tournaments take place across the state on May 13 and 14…The CAL Tournament is slated for May 15 at the Shore Club in Cape May Court House.
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
