CBA is the NJ.com Boys Golf TOY

One year ago, Christian Brothers rode into the 2016 Tournament of Champions with a very young, but very talented lineup, hoping to bring home the title. Unfortunately for the Colts on that day, it shot a very solid 309, but it was nowhere near enough, as its rival Bergen Catholic shot a rare sub-300 score of 284, smashing the previous record of 295, to win it last year. But in 2017, CBA put together a sub-300 day of its own, shooting a 297 in rainy conditions to take back the Tournament of Champions title at Hopewell Valley Golf Club, beating Bergen Catholic by five strokes and ending the Crusaders' three-year reign as the top team in New Jersey. Thanks to that performance, Christian Brothers is the 2017 NJ.com Boys Golf Team of the Year. "It feels like we're back," CBA coach Tim Sewnig said. "The best part about is that Chris Gotterup is as good a golfer as any that has been on the team in the last 20 years. He didn't have that title. The best part about it is getting titles for two seniors in Chris and Manny (Lazzaro)." Gotterup and Lazzaro were the two senior leaders on this squad, and were able to cap their careers with their first team T of C title. Although both are graduating this year, there is still a lot to look forward to with this team. The other two golfers who participated in the Tournament of Champions are Brendan Hansen (junior) and Jack Wall (sophomore), so both of them will be back next year, knowing full well what it takes to win a state title. Wall and Hansen finished in the top two spots in two tournaments- the Monmouth County Tournament, with Wall shooting a 72 and Hansen carding a 73, and then again in the South, Non-Public A sectional, where Wall shot a 74 and Hansen took a 75. Wall also had the experience of winning the Non-Public A title at the Tournament of Champions as a sophomore, and just like the other teammates, he had to compete with a teammate to do it. The sophomore tied with Gotterup for the top spot in Non-Public A, as each shot a one-under par 71. The two needed a playoff to decide the title, and it took until the fifth playoff hole for the winner to be decided, where Wall picked up an eagle, which was one better than Gotterup's birdie on that hole. The competition between the two was considered to be a fun experience by the both of them, and showcased just how close this team was with each other throughout the season. "It's fun. We always have a good time when we play together," Gotterup said. "One of us is going to win, and we don't care who that is. We both played well, Jack hit an eagle and I'll happily lose on an eagle, what are you going to do?" CBA does not play in many tournaments throughout the season, but when it does, it sure finds a way to come through. The Colts took part in just two tournaments in the regular season this year- the Monmouth County Tournament and the Shore Conference Tournament, both of which it took first place. It shot a 298 to win the Monmouth Tournament, before it shot a 313 to win the Shore Conference Tournament, edging out a talented St. Rose squad by six strokes. The Colts also were impressive in dual matches, as they finished the year with an undefeated 16-0 mark, which included five matches in which they shot under 140.

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CBA IS THE NJ.COM BOYS GOLF TOY

MIKE GURNIS

High School Sports NJ | 6/12/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Gurnis