RCSJ Men's Golf Coach Dr. Guy Davidson knows one very simple fact about his team that was quite evident this week during the Region 19 Championship Meet at Ash Brook GC.
He does not have one budding superstar on his squad -- however, he has a lineup loaded with steady, reliable talented golfers capable of taking over a match at any point.
That's exactly the strategy used during the NJCAA Region 19 Championship Tournament in Day 2 Tuesday at Ash Brook Golf Club as the Roadrunners needed a huge rally to capture their fourth straight R-19 title by a 617-628 score.
The team crown gave the program another berth in the upcoming NJCAA National Golf Championships in New York in early June.
In the Regions, County College of Morris star Jake Morgan shot an incredible 66 score on the Ash Brook course on Day 1 that helped vault Morris County into the lead by day's end. Heading into Day 2, the Roadrunners were facing a five-stroke deficit.
"Jake (Morgan)is one of the top talents in the country, and his score on Day 1 was stunning," said Dr. Davidson.
"It was very simple from our end -- we told everyone to just keep playing their best matches and we will be fine. And that's exactly what happened."
Yes, the depth on the RCSJ squad proved critical in the end.
Case in point -- sophomore co-captain Julian Boyer, who narrowly missed earning All-American honors on a match of cards tiebreaker just last season to falling to 10th place on his own team's depth chart this spring.
The former Deptford High standout, however, shook off his self-doubts and worked hard to make a comeback. The result? Boyer emerged as Roadrunner team medalist Tuesday with a 2-day score of 151, which was second overall.
After carding a 78 on Day 1, Boyer turned in his best one-day score in the tournament when he shot a sizzling 73, which vaulted him into the overall runnerup spot behind Morgan and All-Region honors.
Just a month ago, Boyer struggled to crack his team's own lineup. He was 10th on the depth chart -- but he was just four strokes from the top.
"We knew we all had to play at top level -- this was a serious field out here this year," Boyer said. "I was just glad to help the team because we needed the boost. It was great to see the team win this in both my years here."
Agreed, said Davidson.
"We are very proud of Julian (Boyer) for elevating his game to a level we knew he could reach," said Davidson. "He had a lot of competition here and within the region, and he really put in the time and effort. He made a huge impact in helping us win the title again."
The Runners' overall depth kicked in as four players made the All-Region team, including Boyer (151), John Bollendorf (third, 153), Jamie Ciesielka (fourth, 154), and Brady Geatens (seventh, 159).
Morris' Morgan grabbed overall meet medalist honors with a two-day total of 136. His scores were 66 on Day 1 and 70 on Day 2.
The Runners were able to rally to finish with a Day 2 score of 304 after a Day 1 showing of 313 for a total of 617. Runnerup Morris closed out at 628.
On the women's side, sophomore Miya Villari emerged as meet medalist with a 101 score, followed by closely by teammate and runnerup Brynn DiGiamberardino at 103.
Villari, who placed second last season, was happy at this season's outcome.
"It means a lot to me personally to help our program gain some recognition like this," she said. "I'm really looking forward to Nationals."
Men's Golf
All-Region 19 Team
Jake Morgan, County College of Morris
Julian Boyer, RCSJ Gloucester
John Bollendorf, RCSJ Gloucester
Jamie Ciesielka, RCSJ Gloucester
John Ferraro, County College of Morris
Chase Adomaitis, RCSJ Cumberland
Brady Geatens, RCSJ Gloucester
Jacob Dippel, Sussex County
Rob Gantert, County College of Morris
Perry Stanger, RCSJ Cumberland
Women's Golf
All-Region Team
Miya Villari, RCSJ Gloucester
Brynn DiGiamberardino, RCSJ Gloucester