Trio Guiding Middle Township on the Links

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The vast majority, it seems, of captains for high school athletics programs are members of the senior class. Sure, once in a while a junior will be bestowed the honor, but one of the things that makes the highly competitive Middle Township High School golf program unique this season is that they have three captains who represent the graduating class of 2020.
Andrew Kapp, Laura Porto and PJ Schulte are the captains for the Panthers this spring.  
“All three have started varsity since they very first joined the team as freshmen,’’ Middle Township head coach Dave Joslin said. “It’s unique to have three student-athletes that only play one sport and are fully committed to that sport. All three truly love the game of golf and play year around. PJ leads the Cape Atlantic Conference (CAL) National Conference in scoring average and won Cape May County Championships. Andrew’s third in the CAL National Conference scoring average and placed fifth in Cape May County Championships. Laura leads the CAL National Conference in scoring average for ladies and placed fourth overall in South Jersey Girls Invitational.’’
All three student athletes are standouts in the classroom.
“PJ is on Honor Roll and in Advanced and Honors classes,’’ Joslin said. “Andrew is on Honor Roll and in advanced core classes. Laura is on Honor Roll and in Honors and Advanced Placement classes.
“We have what I believe is the largest team in the CAL (24 players). Many are relatively new to the game of golf (11 freshmen). Without the help from our captains our program would not be nearly as successful as it is.’’
Kapp began playing the sport at eight years old.
“My grandfather always played golf and it was good quality time,’’ Kapp said “Hitting the ball long [is a strength]. My mental game is for sure the weakest part of my game.”
As a personal goal, Kapp mentioned that he wants to breaks 40 for a round a few times and on the team level win the CAL championship.
Porto has been around the golf course most of her life.
“I have been playing golf since I was about four years old, but I just started playing competitively in my freshman year,’’ Porto said. “I was originally attracted to the sport so that I could play with my family. My dad, my brother and I always enjoy playing together. Whether it was playing with family or on a team, I always enjoyed the togetherness that golf involved.
“Some of my strengths as a golfer include my ability to lead diverse groups of people. It’s so refreshing having all grades and an even mix of boys and girls on the team. I would like to try this year to not be so hard on myself. It’s a tough game some days are going to be good and others not so much. But every hole is a fresh start.’’
Porto would like to continue to help the underclassmen to improve as golfers so that the team is strong in the upcoming years.
“This year, I would love it if our team made it further than NJSIAA Sectionals like last year,’’ Porto said. “We have all worked really hard and I firmly believe that we can go far if we continue to play our best golf. Both John Appleget and Fred Riedel of the Shore Club have been a huge positive influence on my golf career. I have been taking lessons from them and playing under their guidance every summer for as long as I can remember.’’
Schulte has his own reasons as to why he enjoys this most challenging of sports.
“I was seven years old the first time I competed in the Junior Club Championship,’’ Schulte said. “I don’t know why I love this sport. It’s like having pet dogs. They’re a pain, make messes, annoy you, but you love them anyway. Golf is annoying and it’s frustrating. I love it though, but I don’t know why.’’
Schulte noted his short game as well as his ability to perform well under pressure as being among his strengths on the links. He wants to get better at hitting the fairways and wants to win multiple tournaments this year.
“I would love for the team to go undefeated and be CAL champs, be top two at Sectionals and go to the Tournament of Champions,’’ Schulte said.
Schulte mentioned Appleget, Phil Mickelson and Happy Gilmore’s (played by Adam Sandler) nemesis Shooter McGavin (played by Christopher McDonald) as being positive influences in his career.
The statistics noted by coach Joslin above were from match played through the midway point of April. Middle Township has a home match scheduled versus Wildwood Catholic on May 6.