Boys' Golf Seeks Success with 'One-Two Punch'

Moorestown boys' golf coach Tim O’Reilly believes his team has two distinct advantages heading into this season.

First are his players. Sophomore Justin DeVany, one of the team’s top two from last year, returns as the team’s No. 1 this year, alongside No. 2 Mike Dobbs (junior).

“We have a pretty good one-two punch at the top … and that’s a good anchor for our team,” said O’Reilly. “It’ll be interesting to see, because Mike’s coming in real strong, and Justin’s coming back from an injury (snowboarding).”

The second advantage is one O’Reilly has a little less control over, but is no less effective. The team’s home course, at , can be intimidating for opponents, he said, with its undulating ground, numerous blind shots and relatively tree-free landscape, which can lead to windy shooting on a spring day.

“Our guys are used to it. They know it like the back of their hand,” O’Reilly said. “Visually, it can be kind of intimidating (for our opponents).”

He hopes to use those advantages to build on the team’s successes from last season. The boys went 13-4 and finished second in the Burlington County Liberty Division, behind Burlington Township, and sixth in the sectional playoffs.

O’Reilly acknowledged Burlington Township, which returns all its players from last year, is still top dog in the division. Moorestown opens its season on April 2 at Burlington Township.

“It’s never easy. But I think we’ll be competitive,” the coach said. “We’ll be right in the middle of it.”

O’Reilly said he expects strong showings from some of his other players, including junior Connor Jones and sophomore Liam Hughes, as well as newcomer Tom Muccifori, who left the baseball team to play golf this year.

After the season opener against Burlington, the boys play Pemberton at home on April 3 and then compete with 24 other top teams in the state in the Garden State Cup at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor City on April 4.

For the team’s full schedule, visit highschoolsports.nj.com.