Lely boys golf team hopeful

Photo by ROGER LALONDE
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Lely's Mike Mitchusson, left and Alex Robau follow their chip shots during team practice.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE
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Roger LaLonde Staff Oliver Gendron, assistant golf professional at Royal Poinciana Country Club and former Lely golf standout, shows Lely team how to hit shot out of shallow rough during practice.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE
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Roger LaLonde Staff Leaders for the Lely golf team this season are expected to be sophomore Brandon Black, left and senior Mike Griffin.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE
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Members of the Lely golf team, from left, Alex Robau. John Hoenig, Mike Griffin, Sean Lampos, Joe Marinaro, Dave Oliger, Brandon Black,Tom Zelenik and Mike Mitchusson. Back row, Oliver Gendron, assistant golf professional at Poinciana Country Club who gave team a golf demonstration and Lely coach Kim Francisco.

The Lely boys golf team is young, but hopeful.

“I have a group of young guys who show signs of loving the game,” coach Kim Francisco said.

Mike Griffin, the only senior, and Brandon Black, a sophomore, will be the team leaders.

Francisco is looking for improved second seasons out of junior Joe Marinaro and sophomores Mike Mitchusson and Alex Robau. Sophomore Tom Zeleznik also returns. Freshmen joining the team are John Hoenig, David Oliger and Sean Lampos.

Oliver Gendron, an assistant pro at Royal Poinciana Country Club, gave the team a demonstration at the Lely Mustang Course. Gendron was familiar with Mustang as that was the course his Trojan team played on when he was competing for Lely. He graduated in 2003.

Griffin has lofty goals for a young team. He wants to beat Barron High, a golf power this season. He also aims to keep his score in the mid to high 30s for nine holes.

Black said the team has a chance to be good. He said there are some promising sophomores and freshmen who can improve the team this season and next.