Montclair High School golf holds their own against formidable foes, takes fifth in county
The past successes of the Montclair High School golf team have placed the Mounties in the toughest division in the Super Essex Conference.
And they stayed competitive this year, finishing in the middle of the pack as they split the season series with some of the teams ahead of them, Livingston, Millburn and Seton Hall Prep, and ending up with an 8-7 mark.
"I was very happy with how the season turned out," said Montclair head coach Taryn Schnell. “We are in a very competitive division, and we had great success splitting matches with SHP, Millburn and Livingston.
"Although we would have loved to win a few more matches, I am really proud of how the team worked together."
The team had a great run to start the season.
After losing to Newark Academy, 162-178 (lower score wins) in the April 4 tee-off to spring, Montclair defeated both Millburn and Caldwell, 178-181 and 178-256, respectively, on the same day. The win over Millburn was against a team that only lost four matches this year.
And then the Mounties took care of Livingston and Seton Hall Prep, 174-177 and 172-179 respectively, on April 5 and 11.
It was the win over Livingston that topped the highlights list for the season. "Every year, Livingston is a really tough match for us," the coach said. "We were able to capitalize on home ground and shoot one of our lowest rounds of the season."
Schnell especially liked the teamwork of the 2022 Mounties. "The culture and cohesiveness of this team had a large part in our success this season," the coach said.
Montclair finished fifth in the Essex County Golf Tournament on May 3 with a total score of 337, only five strokes from finishing third, held by Millburn at 332, and 12 strokes from second-place Livingston, 325.
Sophomore Felix Hoerrner finished with a score of 79, the best mark for the Mounties and ninth individually. Freshman Jude Pepper came in 19th with a score of 85.
Hoerrner made the SEC American Division second team, compiling a nine-hole scoring average of 41.77.
"Felix is one of the most dedicated and hardworking golfers I know," said Schnell, who is looking forward to working with him the next couple of seasons.
"He is constantly working on his craft, and although tough on himself at times, he truly wants to be the best. His hard work and determination was shown through his practice and progress throughout the course of the season."
In addition to Hoerrner, the other Mountie golfer honored was senior co-captain Jebbie Bauer, who garnered an All SEC American honorable mention nod.
Bauer averaged 42.87 per nine holes. "Jeb had the ability to stay positive, laugh and enjoy every round he played in this season," Schnell said.
"I loved the positivity he brought to each and every match. Even when he had a difficult round, Jeb always looked to the next big match. I am really proud of his ability to stay positive throughout the season and the impact he has had on the younger players on the team."
Along with Bauer, the other senior leader this past spring was the other co-captain, Will McDermott, who helped out the younger golfers, the coach said.