Jones and Smarrelli earn Henlopen Conference honors

The conclusion of the spring sports season brings with it special recognition for noteworthy contributors.

Cape Henlopen High School Vikings varsity golfer Mason Jones was awarded second-team All-Henlopen Conference honors.

The affable Cape junior was the steadiest player on the Vikings squad all season, posting a 45.33 average. He shot well below that average in the recent state golf championships, which is a good sign for next season.

Head golf coach Claudio Smarrelli also earned a special honor of his own, namely Henlopen Conference Coach of the Year for 2014.

Smarrelli mixed and matched his players all season, rarely keeping to the same group of six competitors from one match to the next. Nonetheless, he put together the right combinations for a fine 12-2 match record and a ninth place spot in the state championship.

Smarrelli was quick to credit the kids, as well as the help provided by Assistant Golf Coach Samantha Purple.

He also said, “On behalf of the golf team, I would like to thank Rehoboth Country Club, Kings Creek Country Club, Rookery North and South, Midway Par 3, the American Classic Golf Club and the Cape Henlopen Golf Booster Club for our outstanding season.”

Regarding the challenges of the early part of the spring, Smarrelli said, “Each season, we face challenges and deal with them; however, weather is beyond my control.”

This year Cape featured Maddie Baptiste and Rachel Hagan as varsity regulars, making the Vikings squad a truly co-ed sport. Smarrelli said, “We were able to transform field hockey players to golfers with great results.”

As for next season, Smarrelli suggested that “freshman Matt Zehner, sophomore Jack Ashby and a few others are ready to play at a more competitive level.” He also said, “I feel strongly that this year’s players will have a different outlook as seniors next year. They will mature physically and mentally with a lot of knowledge and experience from the past season, and in some cases in the past three years. With the assistance from coach Purple we are looking forward to another winning season.”

Local club competition results

The Rehoboth Beach Country Club 18 Hole Ladies’ golf group held their weekly event May 28, using both individual and team competition formats in net and gross categories.

Iris Mensh won individual net honors for the event with her 67, while Judy Bennett took first place in the individual gross with an 89.

Barbara Bullock, Karen Storms, Kathy Carroll, and Arlene Simms combined for a net 122 to take first net for the day.

Daisey Hudson, Judy Bennett, Carole Ann Medd, were combined with Karen Storms in a blind draw for a combined first place gross score of 166.

On May 29, the Kings Creek Country Club Ladies 9 Hole and 18 Golf League played together in a scramble tournament.

Ruth Lauyer, Kathy Casey, Mary Mezger, and Terry Derville won first place honors for their team.

Second place went to the group of Judy Wetzel, Melanie Pereira, Denise Stewart, and Noreen Buzerak. Anne Farley, Francie Young, Joanne Yurik, and Jennifer Falcone combined for a third place finish.

Carol Simon’s approach to fifteen feet eight inches on the sixteenth hole won the closest to the pin contest.

The Kings Creek Ladies 9 Hole golfers returned to action on June 1, in an individual game format called “Low Putts.”

Buzerak came in first with only 14 putts, followed by Mary Beth Merolla in second with sixteen putts for nine holes. After breaking a tie for third with seventeen putts each, Carolyn Ortwein took third and Evelyn Diggs took fourth.

Sue Eisenbrey won the closest to the pin contest, finishing eighteen feet four inches from the hole in two shots on the thirteenth hole.

The Sussex Pines 18-holers played low gross and low net on June 3. Linda Townsend won first place in the low gross category, followed by Jo Ann Foster in second and Brenda Lewis in third.

Carol Love took first in the low net category, while Sandy Harrison came in second and Kathy Hudak finished in third.