Kendall’s Evan Gaesser watches his tee shot on the first hole during the Section 5 SuperSectionals held at Clifton Springs Country Club on Monday, May 23, 2016. Gaesser qualified for the state tournament with a two-round score of 149.
Golfer of the Year
Kendall’s Gaesser puts it all in perspective on links
With four straight trips to the state tournament in his six varsity seasons, Evan Gaesser is, quite simply, the golden spike where West meets East.
It doesn’t hurt that he can smack a ball off the tee with length and has touch around the greens, skills that helped him secure the Section V Class C title and All-Greater Rochester Golfer of the Year honors.
Meet the first team | Honorable mention
Class C? West?
Historically, Section V golf has been dominated by players from a few schools, a few schools in the eastern suburbs of Rochester.
Kendall’s Evan Gaesser chips on to the ninth green during the Section V SuperSectionals held at Clifton Springs Country Club on May 23, 2016.
Gaesser, a Kendall senior, changed that. He not only proved can he hang with the golfers from the eastern suburbs, but he can beat them.
And representing the small schools is something Gaesser takes a lot of pride in.
“I like to represent the small school, being the small-town kid that can still perform at a high level,” said Gaesser, who finished tied for 14th at states this season after rounds of 78 and 75 at Cornell. He was the second-highest finisher from Section V, following up last year’s fourth-place tie at states.
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Gaesser didn’t automatically earn the respect of the other golfers though, even the ones he’d been playing with since juniors. Their respect was something he earned.
Kendall head coach Jack Keenan said the stereotype of a small-school player not being able to compete with the big Monroe County schools resonated for much of Gaesser’s early career.
“He does have a bit of an edge to himself going up against the Class A schools,” said Keenan. “Early on, I don’t know how well-respected he was throughout the section. If he had an off-day it would be looked at as, ‘He’s not good enough. He shouldn’t be here.’ He’s had a chip on his shoulder since the beginning.”
Gaesser, the SuperSectionals co-medalist with Class B sectional champion Matt Genaway from another small-school team – the combined Attica/Alexander – doesn’t have to look far for an example of a small-school athlete competing with the powerhouse Monroe County schools. His sister, Laura, was named AGR Player of the Year in girls soccer in the fall of 2003.
Laura went on to play Division I soccer at Central Michigan, and Evan said that was a great inspiration to him.
The drawback of being a talented athlete at a small school is that is often tough to find equal talent on a consistent basis, but Gaesser never let that change his approach.
“Our culture is that small schools can’t compete with the bigger schools, but in an individual sport like golf, you can,” he said, noting that during his varsity career he has become friends with a lot of the other Monroe County golfers.
Keenan said Gaesser has always been competitive.
“Whether it’s a Genesee Region match or the state championship, he’s out there to win it,” Keenan said. “As talented as he is, it would be very easy to put himself above his coaches and teammates in league matches, but he never did. It shows how grounded and humble he is.”
FIRST TEAM
Trevor Borrosch, Honeoye Falls-Lima
He tied for 15th at sectionals and tied for 12th at SuperSectionals. He also recorded a top-five scoring average (38.4) and earned first-team all-Monroe County honors. Junior also plays ice hockey and enjoys tubing, fishing and playing pick-up basketball.
William Burns, Pittsford Sutherland
After going 19-2 to earn the East Division I title, the Yale-bound senior tied for sixth in sectionals and tied for seventh at SuperSectionals with a two-day total of 159. A member of the Model UN Club, he also plays trombone with the all-state symphonic band.
Christian Chapman, Victor
A three-time AGR selection, he was co-champion at sectionals after shooting a 71 and won the Monroe County Tournament of Champions. Finished fourth at SuperSectionals and tied for 17th at states. Named the East Division II co-Player of the Year.
Patrick DiPasquale, McQuaid
Helped McQuaid to back-to-back Section V titles, and he plans to attend Georgetown and try out for golf. Has a 99 academic average and is co-founder of a service organization that uses basketball to build relationships with residents in the juvenile detention center.
Gunnar Doyle, Pittsford Mendon
A four-time AGR selection and 2015 Golfer of the Year, Doyle shot a 71 to win the Class A title this season and he posted the top scoring average (37). A two-time all-state selection with one top-10 finish, he will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Colin Dubnik, McQuaid
His 37.1 scoring average helped lead McQuaid to a 25-1 record and the Section V title. Placed third in SuperSectionals and ninth at states. A four-time AGR pick, he will attend the University of Memphis on a golf scholarship and study mechanical engineering.
Brandon Fink, Victor
His 37.1 scoring average helped lead McQuaid to a 25-1 record and the Section V title. Placed third in SuperSectionals and ninth at states. A four-time AGR pick, he will attend the University of Memphis on a golf scholarship and study mechanical engineering.
GOLFER OF THE YEAR
Evan Gaesser, Kendall
Won a trio of championships his senior season with titles in the Genesee Region, Class C sectionals and Section V SuperSectionals. A four-time AGR selection and member of the National Honor Society, he will attend La Salle on a golf scholarship.
Matt Genaway, Attica/Alexander
Co-medalist at the state qualifier with a 149, the two-time Class B individual champion and three-time Genesee Region all-star also plays basketball. A member of the National Honor Society and all-state chorus, he will serve as class president for a fourth year.
Danny Gianniny, Pittsford Sutherland
Sutherland’s MVP as a junior, Gianniny qualified for the state tournament and earned first-team all-Monroe County honors. Wants to play at the Division I level, and also enjoys paddle tennis, basketball and ping-pong.
Stephen Hetterich, McQuaid
He carded a 76 at the Rochester City Athletic Conference sectional qualifier and then fired a 78 at SuperSectionals to qualify for the state tournament. Hetterich also enjoys skiing and volunteering at junior golf camps.
Jason Lohwater, Brighton
Sophomore had a 39.2 average and fired a 34 on the front nine of the state tournament before finishing 23rd overall. Also likes playing volleyball and basketball.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Trevor Sousa, Victor
A physical education and health teacher for nine years, he is married and has a daughter. Sousa guided the Blue Devils to their third Monroe County East Division II league title after going 19-3. He also coaches girls golf and is head coach for JV hockey.
HONORABLE MENTION
RCAC:
Craig Eichas (McQuaid), Jack Bailey (McQuaid), Quinn Tata (McQuaid), Matthew Hoffman (McQuaid), Chris Mahar (McQuaid), Daniel Tobin (School of the Arts).
Livingston County Division I:
Tyler McDonnell (Livonia), Dustin Conine (Livonia), Andrew Crossway (Livonia), Josh Harrison (Hornell), Alex Diehl (Hornell), Brooks Parsons (Bath), Gavin Burke (Wayland-Cohocton), Nick Serafine (Dansville), Jordan Holley (Livonia), Hunter Tingley (Hornell).
Livingston County Division II:
Dylan Miller (Caledonia-Mumford), Brett Hall (Caledonia-Mumford), Dean DeGroff (Letchworth), Alex Wilkins (Letchworth), Patrik Lahkela (Letchworth), Brandon Gulesano (Geneseo), Josh Lutz (Avon), Cam Geiger (Caledonia-Mumford), Rob Voos Caledonia-Mumford), Colin Zinkievich (Letchworth).
Livingston County Division III:
Adam Sprenger (Perry), Ty Wisely (Perry), Tim Olin (Perry), Korey Hulme (Warsaw), Alex Fanaro (Warsaw), Cody Penders (Pavilion), Joe Thompson (Keshequa), Zach Lowery (Perry).
Wayne County:
Nathan Paddock (Clyde-Savannah), Will Fisher (Sodus), Hunter O’lena (East Rochester), Clayton Paddock (Clyde-Savannah), Derek Pitts (Red Creek), Garrett Hoyt (North Rose-Wolcott).
Genesee Region:
Henry Pflaumer (Elba/Oakfield-Alabama), Ben Pflaumer (Elba/Oakfield-Alabama), Ian Brotherton (Attica/Alexander), Jacob Adam (Kendall).
Private-Parochial:
Grant Brongo (Northstar), Josiah Nowak (Northstar), Mike Walsh (Wellsville), Keegan O’Grady (Wellsville), Joe Rutalis (Aquinas), Alex Opladen (Aquinas), Nick Marcello (Aquinas), Jimmy Bell (Aquinas).
Finger Lakes East:
Matt LaPaglia (Midlakes), Kyle Bailey (Waterloo), Hunter Sheldon (Waterloo), Ben Deming (Waterloo), Noah Stephan (Waterloo), Nick Smith (Midlakes).
Finger Lakes West:
Andrew Fleischman (Naples), Bobby Goerlich (Romulus), Nate Longbine (Honeoye), Nate Morse (Harley-Allendale Columbia), Charlie Retiz (Honeoye), Luke Allen (Romulus).
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Kendall’s Evan Gaesser hits his approach on the 18th hole.
