Subscribe

  • Oxbridge Academy boys golf team won their first state championship, upsetting rival Benjamin in a stellar performance.
  • The coaches implemented a unique reward system, giving players fruit for birdies and low rounds.
  • The team aims to repeat their success with a similar roster and underdog mentality.

For the Oxbridge Academy boys golf team, last year’s first state championship was the sweetest, especially when they were munching on oranges, kiwis and other fruits while holding the trophy.

One could say this delectable rewards system helped the Thunderwolves “produce” their first state championship – over neighborhood rival Benjamin, no less.     

Co-head coaches Dan McLellan and Jonah Del Villar came up with the unique idea to reward their players with pieces of fruit for birdies and whoever shot the day’s lowest round.

Then-sophomore Joey Iaciofano received the prized papaya after finishing runner-up at states, treating the fruit with the care of, say, his putter.

“It was definitely a big thing for my season,” Iaciofano said. “It was great because it would get your mind off of playing the tournament. I knew if I made a birdie, I would get some fruit. You wanted to see how many oranges you could get.”

Did the produce cart lead the Thunderwolves to the pinnacle of their program? Likely not. It might have to do more with making birdies and eagles when it mattered most. But still …

Oxbridge, after finishing behind rival Benjamin in districts and regionals, turned the tables on the Buccaneers at the state championship at Mission Inn Resort & Club. The Thunderwolves shot a sparkling first-round score of even-par 288 to trail Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest by two shots, with Benjamin 18 shots back.

As expected, Benjamin rallied in the second round as Oxbridge cruised past Pine Crest into first place. Late in the round, Oxbridge’s lead over Benjamin became tenuous, but that’s when Iaciofano and Company enjoyed the fruits of their labor. Oxbridge held on for a nine-shot win over Benjamin.   

“What I’ll always remember is our guys finished as a team,” McLellan said. “I think we were 6-under on the last five holes. It was an incredible finish. It showed how much resilience and belief they had in each other.”

Did winning the program’s first title seem even sweeter considering it was their rivals who finished second? Not really.

“A lot of people have this view from the outside that there is a big rivalry between us and Benjamin, but we don’t see it that way,” said McClellan, who competed against Benjamin when he played at Cardinal Newman with Brooks Koepka. “I will say this: The first guys to congratulate us on the 18th green were the Benjamin players.”

Regardless of how Oxbridge wins, the question becomes, can they do it again? Iaciofano returns for his junior season. So does junior Ajaz Lanassa and senior A.J. Colonna, who both tied for 16th at states, as well as junior Kenny Klein (24th).

“We like our team,” McClellan said. “We have the same team.”

But can they maintain the same mindset of last year?

“We need them to find that mindset of being underdogs,” Del Villar said. “That’s what worked so well for us last year.”

So did the produce cart that garnered plenty of attention at states. Will there be a similar motivation this year for the Thunderwolves?

No doubt.

“I’m sure we’ll have something for the boys,” Del Villar said. “Something that makes it more fun.”

The most enjoyment, of course, is holding that trophy again.

Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.

Read the full article here

Leave A Reply

2025 © Prices.com LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Exit mobile version