Redcoat Golfers Beat Rival Farmington

In its biggest regular season match of the season, the Berlin girl's golf team defeated previously unbeaten Farmington Wednesday and captured the CCC West Conference Championship. Berlin carded its best team score against par of the year, a sizzling 161, on Timberlin's difficult back nine and held off a great Farmington team that carded a 172. The Lady Redcoats record now moves to 18-1 and 6-0 in the CCC West. Farmington is 17-1 and 5-1 in the division.

As the players came off the course reporters moved in to talk to the Whaley sisters, who have led Farmington all season. That fact did not go unnoticed by the Berlin golfers as one of the Redcoats told coach Jim Barnes, "They can talk to them but they'll see the score in the paper when we're done."

Berlin's number one and two players, Julia Kemmling and senior co-captain Victoria Fagan set the tone for the match shooting excellent rounds of 37 and 40 respectively. Kemmling's 37, which was good for medalist honors, was one better than Farmington's Kelly Whaley who shot 38. Fagan's 40 was one better than Jenn Whaley's 41. Junior Emily Deutsch and freshman Ashley D'Attilio slammed the door on the match when they both came to the clubhouse with solid rounds of 42.

"The girls came to play today," Barnes said. "You judge a great team by how they perform when everything is on the table. It was simple today, winner takes the conference title. It was our best round of the year.  These girls should be very proud of what they accomplished today.

"Yesterday we didn't play well but they all got to the course nice and early today and were hitting the ball well on the range. They were energized and looking forward to it. We watched them tee on and they all hit nice balls on the first tee."

Barnes said the key to the team's success is the play of senior co-captain Victoria Fagan, who is bound for Long Island University in the fall where she will join the Blackbirds' golf team.

"I really think how she goes, we go," Barnes said. "If she can shoot around 40, which she is capable to doing every time out, and combine that with how well Julia is playing, that gives us a pretty good 1-2 punch. It's not anything physical with Victoria. She is working on some things in her swing and she finally put it together. I'm so proud of her because she is working really hard. I hope she can keep it going tomorrow and next week."

Barnes still thinks his team can go lower.

"I'm a little greedy but it would be fun to see all five of the girls have their best day in the same match," he said. "Look at Emily Stickel. She shot 44 today and she's capable of breaking 40 and she's done it this year. It came together pretty good today and it would be great if it all came together a couple more times this season."

The Redcoats are in action again Thursday at the CCC Tournament at Timberlin. They will then defend their state championship next Tuesday in the state tournament at Orange Hills.