No. 18 Vol. 7
My Life Publications • 973-809-4784
July 2022
Livingston’s Newark Academy Boys Golf Team Claims First State Title
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By Jerry Del Priore ewark Academy boy’s golf team did not let its lone loss of the season to Delbarton in April affect the rest of its campaign. The Minutemen went on an unprecedented 13-game winning streak including capturing a non-public school B team title, their second in a row, and the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions (ToC) team crown, both in May. The Livingston-based Newark Academy defeated No. 2 Bergen Catholic and third-seeded Chatham to claim the New Jersey state title in its first ever ToC appearance, while battling blistering winds at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington, N.J., Minutemen head coach Robin Curtis noted. Newark Academy also won the prestigious Blue Devil Invitational during the season, by a wide margin, Curtis said. While the Minutemen had two solid seniors on its squad– Nathan Drogin and Josh Horowitz–Curtis explained that the team’s ample group of young and emerging talent helped drive Newark Academy to success this past campaign. But she did say that Drogin, who is Princeton-bound for Golf, has been productive in four years of high school, and did enjoy a wonderful season. “It’s (the program) been growing for a few years,” said Curtis, a PGA Golf Professional at Maplewood Country Club. “I have been fortunate to have a group of young, talented players. As you know, in golf, you need some depth,” which the Minutemen had. “But Nathan got the ball rolling in his tenure,” she added. Curtis has nurtured the golf program over the 17 years she has been at the helm. She started out with a few players and has watched it expand over time. In 2022, she had four levels of golf and several players, with new student-athletes looking to join all the time. “When I started coaching, I only had nine players,” she said. “Now, I have four programs and 37 players (not including the seniors who have graduated).” Curtis said Newark Academy golf is a great way for young
golfers who already possess a degree of experience, develop even further at the school and continue to enjoy the game into their adulthoods. “We hope to give the kids that are interested in playing, get that opportunity, ‘’ Curtis said. “We hope this is something that they can do throughout their lives.” Among the group of young student-athletes that helped the Minutemen claim the New Jersey high school title were sophomores Kevin Ha (76) and TJ Betlow (77), as well as freshman Arjun Caprihan (79). Upperclassman Drogin shot a team-best 72 and tied for second place at the ToC. “It’s awesome to watch them grow,” Curtis said of seeing her players develop into self-sufficient golfers. “It’s unique because you’re not coaching during a match, you’re not telling them what to do. It’s all about helping them minimize their mistakes. “With Nate, I don’t have to tell him anything, just good luck and have fun.” And what is more fun than winning a high school golf state title for everyone on the team? If Curtis continues to coach the way she has, and there is every reason to believe that she will, the longtime skipper will keep her golfers focused and level-headed for the foreseeable future. “That’s a big deal,’’ Curtis said of capturing the ToC. “I don’t want it to go to their heads. They have to be humble and go about playing golf like they always do.”