The boys golf team is starting off their 2014 season with a clean slate after ending last year ranked 29th out of 40 teams.

In the previous season there were five seniors, in contrast to one returning senior this year, Jacob Cabbage. In addition, only two non-senior varsity letter winners, Ben Morony ‘16 and Tyler Courtney ‘16, will be returning. Team captains have not yet been decided.

“We’ve lost five seniors from last year, gained four freshman, and have seen the sophomores really step things up from last year,” Ben Morony ‘16 said.

Morony has played golf since his freshman year for City and was a varsity member last year.

The team is focusing on rebuilding after the transition, which has translated into training as much as possible.

“During the summer we had a workout program a couple days during the week,” Morony said. “Our coach really pushed us to be in the gym and then made sure we kept getting better every day.”

Morony believes that a supportive coaching staff has been key to staying on track.

“Our coaches, Jerry Hora and Mike Bevelacqua, really strive to help us be our best on the golf course and make sure that we are getting all of our work done,” he said.

Amid the positivity, there have been some aspects of play that diminish the attitude of the team. Bad weather can have an influence on the team, especially when it comes to meets.

“We try to play unless there is lightning, but sometimes the course has standing water. If there’s standing water we will damage the grass meaning we won’t be practicing outside for the day,” Jacob Cabbage ‘15 said. “Sometimes the weather on meet day can affect the attitude of the team. Some players get more nervous.”

Although it can have a negative impact on the team, weather is one adversity that the team has grown used to.

“I love playing golf every day,” Morony said. “It’s one of my favorite sports, so I love to go out and play and just feel totally relaxed.”

Morony and Cabbage both hope to continue enjoying playing golf and improving as the season goes on.

“We are working on weight lifting and getting stronger to improve the strokes,” Morony said. “We have a lot of younger players, but we should get more consistent as the season goes on.”