Golf team looks to captains for leadership

By Josh Lashley
Sparta — In varying degrees and in different circumstances, every sporting activity is individualistic. There are moments during competition in what are considered team sports when an athlete has to look within themselves and remember to stay determined and laminate their strengths all the while guarding against their weaknesses.
Golf is an athletic endeavor that no doubt has several individual aspects when one considers all that can and does happen on the course over 18 holes. For example, a golfer’s drive and fairway games may be working just fine, but their chipping and putting are off for whatever reason. When something like this happens they must stay calm, show no signs off panic and finish up their rounds to the best of their capabilities and hopefully practice fixing the areas that are faltering.
Further, it’s important to note that there are entire courses that don’t suit a particular athlete’s style of play. But, a golfer must adapt to this and still give their best effort.
As captains for the Sparta High School golf program, Jimmy Apostolico and James Lynch, both of whom are seniors, have not only their own games to concern themselves with, but also consider what’s the best ways for their teammates to improve.
“Both are outstanding young men who work diligently to improve their game and the game of the teammates,’’ Sparta head coach Jerry Carter said. “In particular Jimmy Apostolico has been an outstanding varsity player for the past three years and this is his second year as a captain. Thanks to the weather we are just now getting out on the course. James and Jimmy are working to get their overall games in shape and ready to go.’’
Both captains are fine students as Apostolico earned the Seal of Bi-Literacy Award and Lynch earned the 11th Grade Career and Consumer Science Student of the Year Award Carter noted.
Coach Carter mentioned the attributes that Apostolico and Lynch bring to the table as captains.
“Jimmy and James bring leadership, compassion and some humor to assist their teammates,’’ Carter said.
Beyond Apostolico and Lynch, other student-athletes are contributing for the Spartans this spring.
“Ryan Richardson (junior), Cole Miller (senior), Henry Flint (junior), Ben McDonald (junior), Vincent Apostolico (freshman), Michael Foley (freshman) and Casey Kilby (freshman) should all contribute to the team,’’ Carter said.
The Spartans have a match scheduled versus Morris Hills on April 30 at Flanders Valley Gold Course.