CBA Golf Continues Winning Tradition By Jim Rosa

LINCROFT – At Christian Brothers Academy, there are certain programs that you can always keep an eye on. In the spring, a CBA program with great success is typically the golf team. It has been a great season so far for the Colts as they’ve captured Monmouth County Tournament and Shore Conference titles.In addition to their spectacular tournament performances, CBA has performed well throughout their regular season matches. When a team plays well in both the regular season as well as in tournaments, there is greater chance that a team could very well finish the season with plenty of success and accolades. Currently, the team is 13-0 overall and has been led by their top three players in Brendan Hansen, Jack Wall, and Randall Lazzaro. 

 

All three Colts played exceptional golf at the SCT as Hansen finished first, Wall finished second, and Lazzaro finished fourth. With big performances from their top three guys, CBA was able to hold off Toms River North for a 292-312 win. 

 

“It’s always fun to play with my teammates. Jack, Brendan, and I have been playing ‘against’ each other since we were little,” said Lazzaro of the tournament and how friendly competition between members of his team allows them to enjoy the game. 

 

“We just go out there and take it shot by shot and see where it falls,” Lazzaro explained. “Winning the SCT and the MCT were great, but we have bigger goals as team. We all take pride in being able to play for such a well-established program.  There have been so many great golfers that have graduated from CBA throughout the years that it has been such a great honor to be able to be on the tournament team.” 

 

“It was really cool for Brendan and me to finish at the top because it shows that we are both playing well going into the final stretch of our high school golf careers,” said Wall of the Shore Conference Tournament, as well as his golf career at CBA thus far. 

 

“We always have a ton of fun playing with each other because we are relaxed and we don’t worry a ton about golf. We are able to take the pressure off of each other and just play fun golf,” Wall continued. 

 

He ultimately credits the brotherhood that the CBA Golf program creates which has helped him and his teammates have lasting success playing for the school. “What makes CBA golf great is the brotherhood. We are all very close and it makes playing the game that much easier. We are all having fun out there. We are always passionate about golf because we set goals and push each other to accomplish those goals every year,” Wall explained. 

 

“We all go out in tournaments with the mindset that ‘it’s just another round of golf’ and I think that’s what helps all of us be successful,” Lazzaro added when asked what it takes to be successful. Golf has certainly played a big role in the lives of all three. Hansen will be continuing his career at Rutgers University, while Wall will be heading to the University of South Carolina. 

 

CBA’s success this season started with a 153-176 win over Howell. From there, the Colts defeated Rumson-Fair Haven, 142-165. After some local wins, the Colts made their way to the Garden State Cup, where they dethroned Bergen Catholic, and came away with the team title. Once again, it was Hansen, Wall, and Lazarro who has big days to lead the Colts to the 302-319 win. This was a big win for CBA as the Colts and Crusaders came into this tournament as the best teams in New Jersey. Bergen Catholic had won each of the previous three Garden State Cups by a wide margin of victory making this an exciting early season tournament win for CBA. Wall and Hansen each shot a 1-over 73, which was tied for the second best score of that day. Wall came into the season and the two-time reigning T.O.C. champion and hopes to make it three in a row this season. 

 

Currently, the Colts are one of two undefeated teams in their section. In South Jersey Non-Public A, both CBA and Saint Augustine have undefeated records at 13-0 and 14-0, respectively. Saint Joe’s (Metuchen) and Paul IV currently have the next best records in the section at 13-1 and 10-8. 

 

The Colts know that their ultimate goal is to win another T.O.C. title. For CBA, however, the goal will be to focus on their growth as a team and playing good golf as the postseason comes near. “We just really need to focus on our own game and not worry about what anyone else is doing,” Lazarro said.  

 

While CBA has certainly had a tradition of winning, Lazzaro explained that playing golf at the school has helped him and the team both on the greens and in life. “Coach (Tim) Sewnig always stresses to us to do the right thing in life and in golf. I couldn’t have had a better experience representing CBA and playing with my friends,” he said. “We know that there are a few teams that could go really low. We are really just focused on the things that we can control and how we play as a team.” Lazarro added when asked about the competition that stands between the Colts and another T.O.C. title.

 

As of right now, the Colts will look to continue building off of the success that they have had this season while looking to continue their recent success come postseason time. With a close knit team, and a ton of experience, CBA knows that this season could definitely end with that ultimate goal of winning the T.O.C. title.