By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Publisher Golf isn’t normally a high school sport that is associated with a lot of hard work in the offseason. Generally, the top golfers put in a lot of time, but for a lot of guys playing golf in the spring is simply a way to stay active, get some fresh air, and play some free golf. Mainland senior Brandon Hartlage was one of those guys last year, but after helping the Mustangs to a 15-6 finish he realized he might have some potential on the links. So he and guys such as fellow senior Nelson Denan put in a lot of time and work in the offseason to try to make their final season of high school golf a memorable one. So far they have been doing that, as the Mustangs won 12 of their first 14 dual meets gearing up for tournament season this month. Denan never really played golf prior to entering high school, but has steadily improved the last four years to become one of the top four who score at dual matches. “I’ve definitely improved. I went from freshman year not really knowing how to play, to senior year being in the top four on the team is awesome,” Denan said. “I played a little bit (before high school), mostly it was just going to the driving range once or twice a year. I just put in the hours, and that makes you better. After practice I would still be there and would just keep practicing. I guess it’s showing.” 
Golfers, from left, Josh Krachman, Ryan Hodgdon, Brandon Hartlage and Nelson Denan, along with guys such as T.J. Aldridge (not pictured), have helped Mainland win 12 of its first 14 dual matches. The Mustangs came into this week with the most wins in South Jersey Group 3. (Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan) “Last year, I really didn’t play much golf coming into the season. All I really wanted to do was just make the team and play some free golf. But, over the summer I really worked hard, and like Nelson said, put in a lot of hours on the range, the putting green, working on my fundamentals,” Hartlage said. “This year, coming into the season, we really didn’t expect much. We wanted to be the best we can, but we’ve just put in a lot of work, all of us.” Coming into this week, Mainland (12-2) had the most wins in South Jersey Group 3, ahead of Moorestown (10-1) and Cumberland Regional (10-1). Hartlage and Denan have lead the way, and the Mustangs also have gotten contributions from guys such as Ryan Hodgdon, Josh Krachman and T.J. Aldridge. “Our top four is really pulling through. We were kind of expected to be an underdog, but we’ve been coming up with some wins so far. I had confidence in our team and I knew our top four was going to shoot very well this year,” Denan said. “We play as a team. We win as a team, we lose as a team. I’m paired up with Josh, and me and him get along pretty well. We help each other out throughout the match and make sure we do the best we can.” Hartlage said he was focused on being the top golfer on the team this year, and his results are proving that putting in the extra time in the offseason was worth it. He consistently shoots around 37 or 38, which is right around par at most courses. “I was really focused on being the No. 1 golfer on the team and being the best I could physically be, because I knew I had some potential. I just wanted to be the best I could be. It’s not about trying to beat the No. 1 at another school, I just wanted to be the best I could be,” Hartlage said. “Recently, we’ve been playing really well during the dual meets, but we really need to show it during tournaments. That’s what everyone looks at.” Hartlage said the Mustangs are focusing on finishing strong in May, and that means placing high in tournaments such as the Carl Arena and the NJSIAA sectionals, which begin May 11. “We want to finish high in tournaments,” Hartlage said, “and have some of us go really low and place high in the CAL or state tournaments.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays [adsense]
Extra effort in offseason pays dividends for Mainland Regional golf team
