The Dayton Boys Golf team has a lot to look forward to next spring.
Dayton (16-5-1), which improved from a 13-6 record a year ago under coach Al Steiginga, returns five seniors, a junior and a sophomore for the 2011 campaign.
"We had a very rewarding season and with everyone returning next year, we are looking forward to even more improvement and better success," Steiginga said.
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Dayton finished eighth (375) out of eight teams in the Union County Tournament at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield on May 5, but Nick Bongiovanni put in an impressive performance. The junior finished tied for sixth place (with Westfield's Mike Fietkiewicz) out of 48 players, shooting an 83 (41-42).
The team also finished 11th in the NJSIAA, North II, Group 1 sectional tournament at Quail Brook Golf Course in Somerset, NJ.
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Dayton's starting lineup (first through sixth) and their season averages (per nine-hole matches) follow: 1-Kevin Kirk (junior), 44.1. 2-Nick Bongiovanni (junior), 45.1. 3-Adam Kennedy (freshman), 44.3. 4-Alex Meleno (junior), 44.8. 5-Nick Pulice (junior), 50.4. 6-Peter Bianco (junior), 51.2. Sophomore Aaron Lapena served as the team's alternate.
"We were a very inconsistent team and did not perform to our potential in either the county or state tournament, but with all starters returning next year, we hope to have a very successful season next spring," Kirk said.
Dayton participated in the 18-team Union County Conference in the nine-team Mountain Division and played its home matches at Baltusrol Golf Club's famed-Upper Course on Shunpike Road and Galloping Hill Golf Course in Union.
