For at least one Roslyn High School team, the fall sports season is over—and for the Roslyn boys’ varsity golf team, it is time to celebrate and savor a championship year. Indeed, a dynasty is coming into its own on the links. The Bulldogs have completed the 2015 season with a 10-0 record, winning the Conference VI title outright for the second year in a row. In 2013, Roslyn was co-champions of Conference VI, so this year’s perfect season makes its three consecutive years when the Bulldogs had at least a share of the crown.
And the best may be yet to come.
Bob Gerula, now in his ninth year as the head coach was, as you might imagine, full of praise for his masters of the Nassau County links.
“They are young men who developed quickly,” he told The Roslyn News. “In the realm of the golf word, they’re studs. This has been a consistent, well-rounded group.”
When a team wins a title, everyone contributes and Gerula was quick to add that the undefeated season was due to efforts of players from all four classes, from freshmen to seniors. Gerula praised his two seniors, Titus Jung and Bryce Rubenstein, for their consistency and leadership. When discussing golf at Roslyn, the conversation will always turn to Charlie Mitchell, the team’s star, a golfer who not only the low scorer for the championship squad, but also for the entire conference. Complimenting Mitchell has been David Goldstein, who was an All-State selection last year.
But the best news is that Mitchell and Goldstein are only sophomores. When the Bulldogs were co-winners in 2013, a number of seniors graduated. Both Mitchell and Goldstein were freshman last year. “I had a sense they would be good,” Gerula said. “But they jumped right out.” The two played key roles in the back-to-back titles and their accomplishments may ensure that the Roslyn golf dynasty is only just beginning.
A golf coach doesn’t have the high profile of a football or basketball coach, someone who is on the sidelines in plain view. But any head coach plays a pivotal role in a team’s success. Gerula describes his job as mostly mental in nature.
“They are talented when I get them,” he said. “I’m not a swing guru. We use videos to work on their swings and basic mechanics. I don’t touch swing mechanics. Instead, I emphasize the mental aspects of the game. I try to keep big numbers off their scorecards.”
And as Roslyn’s rivals in Conference VI play can attest, that strategy has been working all too well. In addition to Mitchell, Goldstein and Sung, Jake Sussman and Ryan Chung also had key games in several big wins. In the spring and summer, golf team members will hone their game on local golf courses. Then in the fall of 2016, it will be time to defend their conference crown.
