Hewlett golfers eye strong finish

Though Hewlett was unable to repeat as Conference I golf champs this spring, coach Dave Yaker said he’s excited to see the Bulldogs perform at next week’s Nassau County tournament at Bethpage State Park.

“We’ll see where we stand against the rest of the county on a big stage,” Yaker said. “All six of our guys qualified based on their own scoring average, which is a great accomplishment.”

Hewlett finished the conference schedule with a mark of 10-2, with both losses coming to Lynbrook. The Owls, who went undefeated, beat the Bulldogs by three strokes at the Seawane Club April 28 and by two strokes at Woodmere Country Club May 11.

“I think our guys felt the pressure a little bit in the second match with Lynbrook,” Yaker said. “Hopefully the experience will help at Bethpage. Lynbrook’s a very good team, but we had our two worst matches against them.”

Hewlett was 11 strokes off its season average of 208 in each loss to Lynbrook but rebounded nicely in its following match in both cases. The Bulldogs shot 207 at Lido Golf Course in a win over Long Beach May 2 and a season-best 200 at Woodmere in a victory over Valley Stream May 12.

Senior Taylor Heath, who a year ago came within a stroke of qualifying for the state tournament after shooting 159 over 36 holes in the countywide event at Bethpage, takes a 39.1-stroke nine-hole average into this year’s Nassau tournament. “Taylor has a tremendous short game that separates him from most players his age,” Yaker said. “His course management is phenomenal. He knows when and when not to take risks.”

Heath enjoyed six sub-40 rounds, including a season-best, even-par 35 at Woodmere April 12

Junior Austin Huth ranked right behind Heath in stroke average for a second year in a row with a 39.9. Huth also brings a stellar short game to the course and often gets out of trouble in one shot. “Austin isn’t the longest hitter, but it doesn’t matter to him,” Yaker said. “He’s fine using a 5 or 6 iron on his second shot when someone else might need a 9. He just plays his game and doesn’t let anything bother him.”

Junior Mike Frost made huge progress in a year’s time and cut his average by almost six strokes, from 49.3 in 2010 to 43.7 this spring. He twice shot a 39. “Mike stepped up his game more than anyone,” Yaker said. “He put the time in and got results.”

Freshman Mike Kreisman (43.7) improved by more than three strokes, senior Matt Michaelson averaged 44.3, and junior Aviad Gamilel came in at 44.7.

“We’re so consistent up and down the lineup,” Yaker said. “It’s a credit to the kids’ work ethic. It was 30-something degrees in March, but they were always outside practicing.”