MATT PULGINI, sophomore, Appoquinimink golf
THE WEEK: Took medalist honors with a 1-under-par 34 at Back Creek Golf Club in Appo’s victory over Newark last Monday. Earned medalist honors again Wednesday with a 35 at Back Creek in the Jaguars’ tri-meet win over Middletown and St. Georges. Then took medalist honors in a much bigger tournament – U.S. Open local qualifying – shooting a 73 on Monday at Silver Creek Country Club in Hellertown, Pa., to finish first among 90 amateurs and professionals.
THE QUALIFIER: Pulgini’s performance on Monday earned him a spot in one of 10 U.S. Open sectional qualifiers on June 6. He expects to play at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md. Success there would earn a spot in the U.S. Open, to be played June 16-19 at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. “It was very, very windy. You really just had to stay patient and not get ahead of yourself,” he said. “The main goal was trying to hit fairways and greens, two-putt and get out of there with par. My putting really helped me out a lot today. I made a lot of big putts toward the end.”
THE STRENGTH: “I’d have to say course management, and getting the ball off the tee,” Pulgini said. “Once I can get it off the tee, I feel like my approach shots are good enough to set myself up for better scores.”
THE SHORT GAME: “I love chipping,” Pulgini said. “It’s probably my favorite part of the game. I do it all the time, practice every single day. That’s how you get better.”
THE COACH SAYS: “He is constantly working. I know when he’s not playing for us, he’s out playing other rounds of golf,” Appo coach Craig Ford said. “He’s out doing other things to prepare and play… He has the swing, he has the ability.”
THE TEAM: The Jaguars went 15-0 in dual matches. They will finish the season at the DIAA Golf Tournament, May 31-June 1 at Rehoboth Beach Country Club. “Now we’ve got to step it up a little bit and continue to play well against these bigger schools and see how far we can make it in states,” Pulgini said.
THE CLASSROOM: Pulgini enjoys studying World History. “I like learning about different countries and how they relate with us,” he said.
THE FUTURE: Pulgini’s goal is to play Division I college golf. In addition to the U.S. Open sectional qualifier, he plans to play tournaments in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida this summer.
Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ
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Golfer Matt Pulgini, at Back Creek Golf Club near Middletown Saturday May 14, 2016. He’s the News Journal’s athlete of the week. Gary Emeigh/Special For The News Journal
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Golfer Matt Pulgini, at Back Creek Golf Club near Middletown Saturday May 14, 2016. He’s the News Journal’s athlete of the week. Gary Emeigh/Special For The News Journal
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Golfer Matt Pulgini, at Back Creek Golf Club near Middletown Saturday May 14, 2016. He’s the News Journal’s athlete of the week. Gary Emeigh/Special For The News Journal
Clik here to view.
Golfer Matt Pulgini, at Back Creek Golf Club near Middletown Saturday May 14, 2016. He’s the News Journal’s athlete of the week. Gary Emeigh/Special For The News Journal