By Andy Hutchison

It might not be uncommon for high school golf programs to have, say, 15 or 20 team members.

How about 35? That’s how many golfers you will find teeing off, chipping and putting for the Staples girls program which competes at Longshore Golf Course.

The Wreckers, who qualified for the FCIAC Tournament in late May, will compete in the June 11 Division I State Championships at Timberlin Golf Course in Berlin. The Wreckers have had a nice spring and are ranked fifth in the state.

Courses are aplenty and hitting the greens and fairways is a thing to do this area. Seven of the top 10 ranked teams in D-I are FCIAC representatives from Westport and neighboring and nearby towns. While it makes sense for a Fairfield County school to have the state’s largest team – why Staples?

“We have the reputation of being a fun and inclusive team,” said Patty Kondub, head coach of the varsity squad. “Our players do an excellent job recruiting friends and girls from other sports. Compared to other schools, we get a much larger number of girls who tryout. Our coaching staff has a good reputation, too,”

Golfing benefits personal growth of young players

Golf differs from most other high school athletics programs in that it doesn’t have the feeder system, so getting a large number of participants out on the fairways benefits the program from a growth and development standpoint. Coach Maureen Fontana plays a key role managing the 27 junior varsity girls; only eight make varsity.

It used to be that girls and boys shared course space in the spring. A handful of years ago boys’ golf switched seasons opening up some space.

“With the boys playing in the fall, there is more room on the course, on the range, on the practice putting green, and in the practice bunker,” Kondub said. “During inclement weather, we actually practice outside because our varsity matches are not cancelled if it’s raining,” “On the other hand, we will also go inside for rules seminars or a golf mental performance workshop on some of those inclement weather days.”

Being a part of this team and having a leadership role is a unique challenge the captains embrace.

“What’s great about a big team is that it brings together girls from different grades and skill levels, which creates a really dynamic, supportive environment. It can be easy for newer players to feel nervous, but as captains, we work to make the team approachable,” senior captain Aviva Ross said. “We focus on team bonding, and we make a point to connect with all the players. It’s all about making sure everyone knows they matter and that they’re a part of something bigger than just their individual performance.”

Ross said the best part of being on the team is their time together while they play. “We’re always laughing and supporting each other, and it makes even tough days more enjoyable,” Ross said.

The family-like aspect of being on a large team is something senior captain Lauren Clementi enjoys the most.

“Having such a large team is so much fun because everyone is going through different things, sometimes things you have already experienced, it’s like a big family where everyone is there to support you. It also creates so many fun opportunities, such as making sure those who are younger for example have rides to places which can be as simple as blasting music and singing, or going and getting food or ice cream after a match,” Clementi said.

Coaching challenges worth the investment in players

Having such a large roster, especially for such an individual sport, makes for a juggling act to ensure all participants get the reps and coaching they need.

“One challenge with having such a big team is making sure everyone gets equal time and attention, especially during practice when space can be limited,” Ross said. “But honestly, the benefits outweigh the challenges. There’s so much support, energy, and spirit among the girls. We’re constantly learning from each other and pushing one another to improve. Personally, I’ve loved being part of a group that feels more like a sisterhood.”

Clementi has a similar outlook. “A benefit is that I have friends in all four grades and am friends with people I would never have the opportunity to talk to in school,” Clementi said.

Given this is such a large program there is obviously lots of interest and, thus, some great talent. And the big roster provides more student-athletes a chance to learn and compete. And not only for their time with the Wreckers but in the years — even decades — that follow.

“The large team gives opportunities for more Staples girls to learn the game of golf which they can play all through their lifetime. They meet and make friends with girls from all four grades that they otherwise would not know. It’s a very supportive environment,” Kondub said.

About half the team has grown up playing golf. There are team members who have little experience but lots of potential, and that gets developed, Kondub noted.

This is Kondub’s 17th year coaching at Staples, and tenth since becoming the head coach. “We have consistently grown from a team of 15 girls to our number today of 35. There is much interest in golf but you need coaches who will go the extra mile to handle a large team. You must be super-organized and patient,” the head coach said.

Needless to say off-the-course get-togethers require some space. “We are one big happy family so it just works,” Kondub said.

Ross has golfed for 11 years. She will attend the University of Connecticut and major in Sports Management. “I’d love to be a manager for the UConn women’s basketball team — that’s my dream. As for golf, I’ll absolutely continue playing. Whether it’s casually with friends or for a club team, it’s something I can’t imagine not having in my life,” Ross said.

Clementi has played golf for nine-plus years and enjoys that it is a bonding experience she shares with her dad. “He has taught me and continues to teach me,” she said.

After her career at Staples, Clementi plans to go to Indiana University for business and is thinking about playing club golf in college.

“However, even if I don’t I definitely will be playing any chance I get with my friends and my family too when I come back and visit,” Clementi said.

And 33 other Staples golfers can build teeing off and approaching the greens in some capacity for many years to come as well.

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.