Brooke Returns to State Golf Championships
Wheeling Park joins the Bruins in title questBy RICK THORP, Staff Writer
The year was 1982.
E.T. was tops at the box office, San Francisco ruled the pro football world, and the Brooke golf team made the West Virginia High School Golf Championships.
Yes, it's been 26 years since the Bruins played on the state's biggest stage as a team. And when the 2008 tournament begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Oglebay's Robert Trent Jones Course, Brooke will be among two local squads looking to strike gold.
And for Bruins coach Bob DiLorenzo, it's about time.
''It's a good thing,'' he rejoiced. ''I'm glad to be a part of it.''
While no one on the Brooke team was born the last time the Bruins made it to state, Wheeling Park boasts players with state tournament experience.
Shayne Wilson, who nabbed a spot on last season's Class AAA All-Tournament squad, leads Park, along with Marshall Hone, who just missed an all-tourney squad a year ago.
''Our guys have just been grinding along,'' first-year Patriots coach Don Headley said. ''We've played well in some big tournaments.''
Brooke and Wheeling Park will be the only area teams participating in the two-day tournament, which concludes Wednesday.
There are a plethora of players participating as individuals in all three classes.
In Class AAA, Danny McClelland will represent John Marshall after carding a 78 at regionals.
Weir's Aaron Schons and Tyler Reese will compete in Class AA, as will Oak Glen's Matt Shenton.
Wheeling Central's Tom Pie and Weirton Madonna's Austin Pitchok will represent the area in Class A.
The last time Brooke teed off at the state meet, Tom Smarrella was the coach and the Bruins were led by Mark Hone (Marshall Hone's father), Mike Regan, Mark Richards and John Paesano.
This time around, a pair of seniors - Samantha DiDomenico and Jeff Ferda - will guide Brooke.
''It's been a good four years with my two seniors,'' DiLorenzo said. ''They have really progressed to become top high school players.
''They have worked hard to learn this game inside and out.''
Trevor Barnhart, Mark Fitzpatrick and Russell James round out the Brooke roster.
The Bruins went 24-1 in duels, triangulars and quads this season. But the biggest thorn in their side was Wheeling Park, which topped them by double digits the first two times they met.
But in the regional, Brooke finished two strokes behind the Patriots. And that has given the Bruins more confidence.
''We've told (the players) that you're as good and competitive as anyone in the field,'' DiLorenzo said. ''On any given day we're capable of beating anyone.
''But believe me, the field is strong.''
Hurricane is back to defend its Class AAA crown, while Cabell Midland should also figure into things, according to DiLorenzo and Headley.
''We have some pretty good competition coming,'' Headley said.
As for his own team, Headley pointed to Marshall Hone and Wilson as the ''catalysts'' for its success.
''They play consistent golf day in and day out,'' he said.
The Patriots are a mix of experience and youth, as freshmen Eli Lambie and Jacob Carpenter have played key roles in the state berth.
''Eli is our No. 3 and Jacob is at No. 4,'' Headley said. ''These two guys have been really consistent all season. They've been in the 80s all season.''
Nathan Clingenpeel rounds out the Park squad.
''Marshall and Shayne have great role models for our younger players,'' Headley said.
''We've been playing well all season. We also won the OVAC Tournament and we're happy about that.''
Headley, a longtime assistant with Park, took over the Patriots program this fall after Mike Ricci left to oversee the program at West Liberty State College.
But while Ricci is not the coach, he still maintains a presence at Park.
''We stayed right in footsteps,'' Headley said when asked what, if any, changes he's made. ''He still helps me and he's a great guy.
''He'll always be here to help us and he's still part of the team somehow.''
