Barton twins shine on the links

Sparta — Chloe and Lucy Barton are used to it when people give them a double take of a look. When you are identical twins it goes with the territory. The Barton sisters' territory, though, is on the golf course.
The 13-year old girls from Frelinghuysen Township, 8th graders at Pope John High School in Sparta, these days are making people take a double take on them because they are both quite successful at golf.
While their home course is Panther Valley Golf & Country Club in Allamuchy Township, where they are members with their parents Shelly and Mike Barton, they've spent the past few years playing in tournaments throughout the Northeast and in some cases, further out. This summer they've each attained lofty heights.
Among their accomplishments this year:
• US Kids North Jersey Spring 2018 Tour Top 3 Finishers:
Chloe clinching 1st place overall for the US Kids North Jersey Spring 2018 Tour consisting of 6 tournaments in her 12-14 age division out of 19 girls and Lucy placing 3rd overall out of 19 girls; Chloe finishing up with an impressive 89 in her last round.
• Summer tournaments included through the NJPGA, Hurricane Tour and US Kids Tours:
Currently for US Kids Hudson Valley NY Summer Tour 2018 its Lucy's turn on path to clinch 1st in her 12-14 Age group with an impressive 77 at Redhook NY Country Club, and Chloe on path to place 2nd in 12-14 Age group with a solid 87.
• A more Competitive field, longer yardage, and 12-17 year old age group tours through Peggy Kirk Bell, NJ PGA and Hurricane National Tour. Highlights are Lucy scoring an 87 through Hurricane at Architects Golf Club and Chloe an 89 through the NJ PGA at Clearbrook NJ Golf Club
• In the spring they finished a 2 day US Kids Regional Tournament at Golden Horseshoe in Williamsburg, VA and as a result will be off to The Caribbean Championship in the Dominican Republic in December.
• Both sisters excelled to the second qualifier round for the Drive Chip and Putt 2019.
More successes are surely yet to come. And they can thank their grandfather for getting them into the game of golf in the first place.
Initially Shelly Barton was hoping that her daughters would get into competitive gymnastics, as she had, but it was clear that their interests soon enough were elsewhere. The two began golfing when they were just six years old through the inspiration - and guidance early on - of their 91 year old Grandfather. William "Buzzy" Borie, or "Poppy" as the girls call him, was a Club Champion at Basking Ridge Country Club in the 1960's. Borie continues to be the girls' biggest supporter - and fan - as he attends almost every one of their tournaments. In fact, as a big thanks, Chloe gave her grandfather the “Caddy of the Year Award” after she became Tour Champion for the Spring North Jersey US Kids Section.
At Panther Valley they hone their skills playing two or three times a week, often with adult women, and sometimes with their parents. They also practice long hours on their short game as well as breaking down their overall game.
Chloe feels her strength right now is "my irons and chipping" while Lucy says her strengths come with her "drives and chipping" as well. Chloe "like the competition and meeting new people" that comes with playing golf and Lucy adds that "it is fun - and you are outside all the time!"
Being noticed is nothing new to the pair, who are attending Pope John in Sparta this fall. In 2016 both were featured on the Golf Channel and The Morning Drive Show that featured highlights of their golf career and aspirations. And when they are not playing golf, the two might get noticed for another reason - they are actors! While they both agree that golf comes first and that acting is a hobby, they do have some credits on their acting resume. They will be appearing in "The Other Two" on Comedy Central in January 2019 with Molly Shannon and Wanda Sykes. And they had parts in the movie, "Killer Clown Meets the Candyman."
Academically the Barton twins are excellent students, straight A's,and have a passion for science, math and also are exceptional in art.