The Enosburg varsity golf team welcomed several new players and returned talented golfers from 2023 to complete a well-rounded team for the 2024 season. The team even had a medalist, Maddie DeRosia, who captured the honors at the Newport Country Club on Sept. 9

Maddie Desrosia: DeRosia, a sophomore, is in her second year with the varsity team and plays with the Enosburg Youth League headed by Wynn Paradee in the summer months.

“I started playing four years ago with my parents. It’s a relaxing sport when I’m playing well,” said DeRosia.

When asked about her favorite course, DeRosia said she liked the Newport Country Club and her home course, the Enosburg Falls Country Club.

“I like a wide open course, which makes it a little easier,” said Derosia. “I hope to shoot a lower score this season and get more pars and birdies.”

Luke Burns: Burns has played golf casually in the past but decided to join the varsity team thanks to encouragement from his friends.

“I was a little nervous about joining the team, but I came to the first practice and was hooked,” said Burns. “The first match was a good time, and I decided to stick with it and play.”

Burns complimented Enosburg Jeff Bryce, saying, “I’ve gotten better already, and Coach Bryce does a great job teaching us.”

Burns loved the opportunity to play at the Country Club of Vermont.

“The Country Club of Vermont was unlike any other course I’ve ever played on. It was a hard course, but it was a great time playing on one of the most prestigious courses in Vermont.

Grady Gervais: Gervais has played gold most of his life, thanks to a family who plays and loves the sport. When asked what he enjoyed most about the game, Gervais said, “I enjoy the difficulty. To be consistently good at golf is rare, but if you get good at it, you can enjoy it.”

Gervais, a pitcher, spoke of the similarities and differences between the sports: “Being a pitcher has helped me focus on each shot, just as I would with a pitch. The difficulty is in the swing, and I’ve spent a lot of time fixing the “baseball slice” this season.”

When asked about his goals for the golf season, Gervais said, “As a team and individually, I’d like to be the top scorer and see our team be top scorers. We also have a little team contest going on. We’ve got a ball marker, and the lowest score in each match gets that. I’d like to take that back!”

Chad Jewett: Jewett began golfing as a child and picked the sport up as a freshman when he began working at a golf course. He joined the team to have an opportunity to play competitively and to play nice courses.

“I found that the Country Club of Vermont was much easier than any of the other courses I’ve played; it’s an open course,” said Jewett.

Jewett also spoke about working with Coach Bryce: “He’s helped me and inspired me to start working more. He’s helped me get good with chipping and putting.”

Caden McAllister: McAllister is in his second year on the team and has played golf since he was three. He spoke of what he enjoys about the sport, saying, “Golf is a sport you can play forever, and it gets you outside.”

When asked what he enjoys about being part of the team, McAllister said, “I enjoy getting out with the team and playing different courses.”

McAllister also mentioned a memorable moment in 2024, “I shot my best at our first match this season at Rider Brook; I shot a 45.”

McAllister thanked Coach Bryce for his help: “Coach has helped me a lot with my driver. It’s been on and off, and he’s helped me straighten out.”

Coach Jeff Bryce: Bryce drew attention to the difference between playing competitively, especially for first-year varsity golfers.

“It’s one thing to play with your buddies, but in a high school match, you’re golfing with people you’ve never met. It’s a big adjustment, and Maddie and Caden have done well with this from first year to second year.”

Bryce also spoke of the adjustment for the new golfers: “They’re learning that, as the courses get harder, they may not see the improvement they’re looking for immediately, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t improving. We shot a 203 at Enosburg recently, and compared to the 223 we shot earlier in the season, that’s a good improvement. l asked if each of them could give me one stroke next time. No one person has to do it alone; we can accomplish team goals together. I think that resonated with them.”

Bryce shared a memorable story from the season: “Luke is a baseball player, and I’d noticed he was swinging out of his shoes. I asked him if he could hit a ball a long way, and he said he could. I encouraged him to hit doubles and not home runs on the course, and that resonated with him.”

When asked about goals for first-season players, Bryce said, “They’re all competitive and want to get better over the season, but I want them to make sure they’re having a good time. This is a skill they’ll use for the rest of their lives. Enjoy the moment!”

The visit to the Country Club of Vermont was a highlight of the season.

“That course doesn’t look real; it’s so green and lush. When we drove down there, everyone’s chins dropped. I told them this might be the only opportunity they’ll get in a lifetime to play at such a prestigious, private golf course. If they walk away at the end of the year smiling and enjoying all of these courses, that’s just great.”

Bryce complimented the team members and families on their dedication: “We’ve had a lot of family involvement this year, which has made the season more fun for the kids. This group is also so good at communication, and that’s a skill they’ll use in every area of life. I’m pleased with this team and how things have gone.”