New Laker Team Website Launched

The Boys' Latin Golf Team has a new website: www.boyslatingolf.com

The Kid's Got Game ~ Laker Team Captain Patrick Hohman Finishes The MIAA Individuals in Classic Fashion

Boys' Latin Junior, Patrick Hohman fired a final round 78 Tuesday en route to tying for 10th Place at the MIAA Individual Tournament. The third and last leg of the 54 hole championship was held at Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley, Maryland - a challenging layout for members of the Champions Tour (who have previously played Hayfields as the venue for the Constellation Energy Classic), let alone players in the MIAA Conference. Regardless, competitors were rewarded for their fine play in the first two rounds with a final 18 holes contested over the links of one of Maryland's finest layouts.

Hohman entered the final round with a 159 total - having recorded scores of 75 at Mount Pleasant Golf Course and 84 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in rounds one and two respectively. The third and final round found Hohman negotiating the first eight holes at Hayfields Country Club at even par - helped in large part by two birdies thanks to a hot putter. Misfortune found Hohman on the par four ninth hole, however - and he finished the front nine with a four over par total of 40. Undaunted, the Laker Team Captain negotiated the back nine in a respectable fashion - shooting a two over par 38.

Patrick's keen course management, stern focus, and never-say-die attitude served him well throughout the MIAA Individual Tournament. His performance in the Championship established him with formality where the Lakers always knew he stood - amongst the top golfers in the conference.

Congratulations Pat. The Lakers remain proud to call you their Captain.

Boys' Latin vs Mt. St. Joe ~ Post Match Summary

The Lakers traveled to Rolling Road Country Club to face off against Mt. St. Joseph for the final match of the 2007 Season. For the first time in nearly three weeks, Boys' Latin was able to field a full line-up of healthy starters - a blessing that found the Lakers most appreciative.

A relatively short golf course, Rolling Road winds through hilly terrain and boasts small, firm and very fast greens. Accuracy and Course Management are therefore placed at a premium over Distance and Power. Understanding this, the Lakers arrived prepared to opt for fairway woods and long irons off the tee versus driver in most instances.

It was a strategy that served the Lakers well - as Boys' Latin took the lead early on in the match. Midway through the front half, the Lakers lead in all but two matches. Unfortunately, that lead would ultimately fall to a Mt. St. Joe team that battled back to claim victory for the day.

Special recognition is due to Patrick Hohman for sweeping his opponent in the match's front, back and total. His course management strong, Pat recorded a front nine total of 39 en route to his collection of three-points for the Lakers.

As well, A.J. Billig is deserving of special recognition. Having lost the front, A.J. negotiated his way back into contention on the match's second half - and won the final hole in dramatic fashion to win the back and halve the total match. Having popped-up his drive on the par five final hole, A.J. advanced his second shot to approximately 240 yards from the green. His third shot could not have been struck better - a five wood that landed on the green's front half and rolled to within 12 feet of the hole. A.J. would make par, win the final hole, and secure a point and a half for the Lakers.

All in all, the Lakers were unable to bring their A-games to their face-off against Mt. St. Joe. However, they did end the season with a great deal of promise awaiting them in the time ahead. All members of the 2007 Golf Team will return for the 2008 Season - and all members are committed to improving their games in the off-season. The coaches remain proud of the Team and are more than pleased with the development shown this season. 2007 was most certainly, a success on multiple levels.


Final Score: Boys' Latin: 6 / Mt. St. Joseph: 15

Practice Schedule Completed for 2007

The final practice of the 2007 Golf Season was held on Thursday, May 3rd.

There will be no more Team Practice this season.

MIAA Individual Tournament ~ Round 2 Summary

Patrick Hohman, the lone Laker to make the cut in Round 1 of the MIAA Individual Stroke Play Tournament, competed in the Second Round on Wednesday, May 2nd at Pine Ridge Golf Course.

Hohman, a Junior, birdied the final hole to shoot a twelve-over-par 84, en route to a two-round aggregate score of 159. This 36 hole total was good enough to qualify the Laker Team Captain for the Final Round - to be held at Hayfields Country Club on May 8th.

Numerous members of the Boys' Latin Golf Team, as well as Parents and Coaches were on hand to cheer Patrick on during his round at Pine Ridge - and provided enough fuel for the team's top player to finsh in the middle of the field going in to the event's final round.

The Lakers remain proud of Patrick for his ability and his attitude - both of which continue to grow stronger with each passing day. He is a fine leader, an excellent golfer, and a true gentlemen.

Boys' Latin vs St. Paul's ~ Post Match Summary

Boys' Latin faced perennial conference contender, St. Paul's on Friday - in a home match that found the Lakers once again fighting illness as much as the competition.

With Kevin Foreman removed from the line-up and starters Ian Obligin & A.J. Billig battling sickness, Boys' Latin took to the course yet again with a non-traditional line-up of starters.

"The final score today is not as important as your ability to dig deep within yourself - past the discomfort and the weariness of illness - and find it within your gut to fight hard in your last home match of the season," the coaches communicated to the team prior to the match's kick-off. "We expect from you that you will fight hard, with the ferocity of a determinted team - that you will rise up and fail to heed the voice in your head that says 'you're tired, it's over, just quit, just give up.' Do your best today. Fight hard. Remain focused. And don't give up."

That guidance seemed to stay with the Lakers throughout their match - and Boys' Latin went on to produce their finest showing against St. Paul's since entering the conference four years ago.

As is often the case, the final score did not reflect the close nature of the match itself. In fact, the Lakers held their ground agaist St. Paul's deep into the match's second half - and at one point late in the match appeared positioned to assume the lead. Alas, in the end Boys' Latin would fall on the unfortunate side of the match's outcome; but day's end found the Lakers having served up a strong fight and a respectible showing nonetheless.

Notable mention for the day goes to A.J. Billig - who played in his fourth straight match while also battling sickness. A.J.'s "play hurt" mentality served match after match as a point of inspiration for the team - lifting the Lakers individually and as a team to new heights of belief and aspiration. That A.J. went on to collect two points against St. Paul's only added to the admiration from his teammates and coaches. A.J. faced his opponent with determination and focus - and in doing so, collected points for winning the match's front half and total.

Additional mention of note is given to Ian Obligin for collecting two and a half points in his match. The Boys' Latin Senior was competing in his final home match as a Laker - and did so in classic fashion, by collecting two and a half points from his opponent. A member of the Laker Golf Team for four years, Obligin's achievement in his final match served as proper closure for a high school golf experience that has yielded significant growth and development.

The Lakers ended the day by yielding a victory to St. Pauls - but also in doing so proved to themselves that they have the fight within themselves to achieve, on and off the golf course. Team members will now prepare for the MIAA Individual Tournament and for the final match of the season against Mt. St. Joe on May 7th.

Final Score: Boys' Latin: 4.5 / St. Paul's 16.5

MIAA Individuals ~ Details Announced

The MIAA Conference Individual Tournament begins next week. The three-round, individual stroke play event finds the top golfers in the conference competing for the championship across three different area courses: Mount Pleasant Golf Course, Pine Ridge Golf Course, and Hayfields Country Club.

Six Lakers are scheduled to compete. Senior Ian Obligin, Junior Patrick Hohman, Sophomore Gates Blair, and Freshmen A.J. Billig, Brenden Schwartz and Ben Whitman are all slated to participate in the event.

Monday will find the Lakers playing Round 1 at Mt. Pleasant Golf Course. A cut will follow, and Round 2 (scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd) will find the remaining participants at Pine Ridge Golf Course. A second cut will follow Round 2, with qualifiers advancing to the Final Round on May 8th (to be held at Hayfields Country Club).

Participants will be excused from classes collectively at 12:00 Noon on Monday - and are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course (click here for directions: http://www.bmgcgolf.com/baltimore.asp?id=502&page=25863#directions).

Tee Times for Monday are as follows:

Patrick Hohman: 1:18 PM
Ben Whitman: 1:26 PM
Gates Blair: 1:34 PM
Brenden Schwartz: 1:42 PM
A.J. Billig: 1:50 PM
Ian Obligin: 2:14 PM

With the momentum of a hard-fought season carrying them, the Lakers promise to post a solid showing at the Conference Indidividual Tournament.

Boys' Latin vs John Carroll ~ Post Match Summary

When Kevin Foreman met his team on the practice green at Suburban Country Club yesterday afternoon, his face flushed pale in its complexion and voice gravely from throat irritation, he greeted his coaches with a wry smile and the statement “I’m not 100%, but I’m ready.”

The Laker Sophomore had been sidelined with illness throughout the week – and had bore the burden of missing matches against both Calvert Hall and Loyola. His absence, as well as that of other teammates hampered by sickness, had challenged Boys’ Latin this week in its ability to readjust the line-up for competition.

The previous day had found Senior Ian Obligin inspiring the Team with his willingness to compete while ill – a “play hurt” mentality that deepened the endearment between himself and a team that already saw him as a leader. Even earlier in the week it was Freshman, A.J. Billig who took to the course with aches and pains, while also anchoring the respect of his teammates. Today, it was Kevin Foreman’s turn to lift his teammates with inspiration. And do so he did, in classic fashion. Kevin walked the fairways with a wheeze in his breath and with a plodding pace that appeared to take more energy out of him with each step. But his hat was pulled low and his eyes were fixed forward. And when Kevin Foreman won his match’s front half, the coaches found themselves moved by the strength and character inherent to the effort that produced the victory.

With determination buoyed by their teammate’s inspirational attitude, the Lakers went on to stage one of their best performances of the season.

Junior Patrick Hohman won each of the first six holes, to close his opponent out and win the match’s first half. Hohman then went on to win the back half and the total match, while also collecting the Team Point with partner, Ben Whitman. In a personal-best for the season, Hohman shot one-over-par for the day – and secured some much needed points early for the Lakers.

Freshman, Ben Whitman also won the front, back and total matches for the day – and also did so while shooting one-over-par for the day. Whitman continues his drastic improvement for the season – reflective of a ten stroke drop in scoring average for the year.

Sophomore Gates Blair rallied from two-down with two to play, and won each of the front half’s final two holes en route to securing a vital half point for the Lakers. Blair demonstrated grace under pressure during those final two holes – reflective of his maturity as a competitor, and his growing ability as a player.

Not to be outdone, Freshman Brenden Schwartz rallied from three-down with three to play, and won each of the front half’s final three holes. In this achievement, Schwartz halved the match’s front side and secured an extremely-important half point for Boys’ Latin. Schwartz went on to battle through the match’s second half – and split the outcome with his competitor, notching a total of one and a half points for the Lakers. After the round, the coaches agreed that Schwartz’s comeback on the front half of the match was unprecedented and ranks as one of the finest come-from-behind victories in Laker Golf history.

In the end, Boys’ Latin secured their third victory of the season – and defeated John Carroll in an inspirational match that found the Lakers digging deep to find substance and means in the face of sickness and adversity.

As Kevin Foreman might have said, “We weren’t 100%...but we were ready.”

Final Score: Boys’ Latin: 12 / John Carroll: 9