The 2023 Norwich Purple Tornado Golf team, coached by David Branham Congratulations Norwich on a memorable 2023 season. (Photo by Dave Branham)

NORWICH – The Norwich Purple Tornado golf team had a lot to celebrate at the end of the 2023 season. The young, talented team showed great depth and strength to achieve winning the STAC East division for the second straight year. This time, they brought home the Section IV, Class B championship after finishing second in 2022.

Coach Dave Branham and his team finished perfect in the STAC league at 10-0 and an overall record of 10-1. The one loss came from non-league and tough competitor Union-Endicott. Branham always appreciates the challenge and likes his team to see what it’s like playing against good teams, even at the higher ‘A’ level and on good courses.

While Branham applauds the success of his team, he says this success has only created a positive atmosphere for golf in Norwich.

“Success breeds success,” Branham said. “If the kids see it, they want to be a part of it. These kids become addicted to golf and it’s great that golf is coming back to Norwich.”

Branham was also pleased to have six different players as the team’s top medalist this season, which is very special as the STAC division may only see a variety of four. This accomplishment only continues to show the depth Branham has on his team, where any student can step up at any given time.

Branham compliments each golfer that has worked hard all season. Branham sheds light to his five seniors, who greatly improved from the start of their careers to now. Congratulations to Collin Scheuer, Jackson Sastri, Aidan Stafford, Jacob Morris, and Braden Reid.

“These seniors will be missed,” Branham said. “These seniors were with me at the start of COVID, where they were brand-new golfers. Now after three or four years, they’ve become solid golfers.”

Jacob Morris stood out as the team’s Most Valuable player while Jackson Sastri earned most-improved at the end of the season.

“Jacob has a great look for the game and Jackson worked his tail-off. Both love the game of golf,” Branham said. “He (Sastri) was emotional at times, but stuck with it and got better.”

While these seniors will be missed and had a memorable golf career, Branham is looking forward to watching more of the young talent he had on the JV team and other notable returners stand out next season.

Branham applauds Jacob Dowdall, who will join Julien Smith at the Section IV medalists tournament in May, for his growth as a player. Dowdall won the 2023 Coaches award this season after winning Most Valuable player in 2022. Julien Smith, along with Dowdall, will be the two upperclassmen to look out for in 2024. Smith has also shown much growth since learning the game during his youth.

Brothers Matthew and Michael Brunick have also improved from last season. Matt, who earned Rookie of the Year last season, continues to earn experience and is talented at the short-game of golf. Michael, on the other hand, always has a positive attitude and finds himself learning more of the game by watching his peers and from a visual standpoint, Branham said.

Branham also praises Carmine Pastore for being very good as a freshman. Branham has seen Pastore hit the ball hard, as with any newer golfer, but he has been able to use it to his advantage by being able to score. Aside from Pastore, Branham has seen a lot of improvement from Ethan Willis. Willis is brand-new to the golf game and received a lesson from Branham in the spring, where Branham has seen him pick up his game tremendously throughout the fall season.

Charlie Smith, an eighth grader, has been learning the game well also and Branham has really appreciated the positive attitude he brings to the team and is “a super nice kid.”

Brayden Adoff rounds out this young team that will compete next fall for a spot on the top eight varsity team. Adoff has been keeping up with golf for the past two to three years, where Branham has watched him get “bigger and stronger” while maintaining a good swing and balance in his game.

The team has also been working hard at distance control and not aiming to hit the ball so hard, while improving on putting. Branham also gives kudos to his home course of the Canasawacta Country Club and Tim Carson, along with PJ Brunick for running a Junior golf program that helps teaches the youth the game of golf and prepares them for the high school level. The program runs from mid-July to just before the start of school and fall sports.

Julien Smith and Jacob Morris will be representing the team in the Section IV medalist tournament held at the Mark Twain Golf Course in Elmira in May. They’ve both worked hard all season for this chance to qualify for the State team, which only takes the top nine golfers. It’ll come at a challenge for the pair, but it’ll be a nice experience for them, either way.

Morris led the team with a 5.4 stroke average and the honor of being named on the All-Conference East-Central list with Smith at a 5.7 average. Braden Reid (7.4), Matthew Brunick (8.6), Jacob Dowdall (9.0), and Aidan Stafford (10.7) all made the All-East list for their great efforts this season.

Congratulations Norwich and best of luck to all the seniors.