2005 Westfield Golf UCT

On Friday Tiger Woods missed his first cut in seven years underscoring what an unpredictable sport golf is and may help explain how the state’s number two ranked team, Westfield was somehow upset in the Union Country Tournament last Thursday by a Cranford team that the Blue Devils had easily defeated twice.

Even though they were dethroned for the first time since 2001, Coach John Turnbull’s team still has a lot to be proud of and much to look forward to.

They have a season record of 18-0 and have won 40 straight matches, spanning three years.
Included in their victories was a sterling triumph over the state’s number three team, Christian Brothers Academy when the top four shot a nearly flawless 152.
They repeated as conference champion, edging a strong Scotch Plains team.
They regained the individual county title as senior Ryan Shallcross, claimed the individual crown with a 2-over-par 74. Shallcross, who also won the individual crown as a freshman and sophomore, was six strokes ahead of the field, which had five players -- two from Cranford -- shoot an 80
Monday the Blue Devils began their quest for a state championship by competing in the state sectionals where they are favored but only need a top three finish.

Turnbull was admittedly shocked by the series of events that unfolded Thursday. He expected Oratory to provide the toughest competition and never really considered Cranford as a serious contender, but except for Shallcross the Blue Devils had an uncharacteristically bad round by their number one player, Jimmy Arbes, who shot 85 and the usually dependable Garrett Cockren who suffered through an 88.

“Jimmy played very poorly for him. It was his worst round in three years and he is really our number one player,” said Turnbull.

“ He was player of the year in Union County last year and was having a much better season then Ryan up until the 5th through the 18th holes. If Jimmy just has an average day for him we win.”

Turnbull was pleased that Shallcross bounced back from a fifth place finish in 2004 to win his third title. “Ryan is a great ball striker but has been putting poorly up until this tournament He is a great competitor and is always very into it.”

In addition to Shallcross, fifth man Nick Petraca finished tied for second with an 80 but lost a three-way playo9ff to wind up fourth. shot an 81 for seventh.

Turnbull’s record at Westfield is 129-7-2 over seven years with five county titles, five conference championships, three sectional crowns, two group four championships and one Tournament Of Champions.

Turnbull is counting on Arbes to bounce back in the key matches ahead.
On Monday Westfield traveled to Mahwah for the state sectionals and (fill in the result here)
“Jimmy has been a very steady player for three years and has had one bad round of golf in nearly three years,” said Turnbull.

“Last year was one of the finest seasons any HS Golfer in NJ could dream about. He never shot over forty the whole year.”

Scotch Plains-Fanwood Coach Steve Ciccotelli was equally philosophical about his team’s disappointing sixth place finish.

“Golf is very fickle game. This doesn’t take away from the great season we have had ,” said Ciccotelli, who also coaches football.

The Raiders have enjoyed an excellent 12-1-1 season, tying East Brunswick and losing to Westfield 164-173 at Shackamaxon Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains on May 5.
It was the 24th straight season the Blue Devils have defeated the Raiders with Turnbull on the losing end of many of them as Raider coach.

Juniors Jack Davis and Clayton Blach have paced the team in most matches along with senior Mike Sprung.

“Jack has a very strong all around game, especially his irons play ,” said Ciccotelli,
The Raiders (fill in Monday result here).