When Carnig Nersesian retired last year after 42 years as a teacher at Weehawken High School, he had to believe his teaching days were done. After all, someone who had spent nearly a half-century in a classroom deserved to spend his leisure time doing something he enjoys – like playing golf.
“I just love playing golf,” Nersesian said. “I used to teach golf in the adult school some time ago. It’s a great sport.”
Robert Zucconi, the Weehawken deputy director of public safety, also happens to be an avid golfer.
“I think I’m more of a certified golf nut,” said Zucconi, who has a 13-handicap and regularly shoots in the 70s. “I try to play as much as I can.”
For a few years, both officials from the Weehawken Board of Education and the students themselves have discussed the possibility of forming a varsity golf team at the high school. Now, with the help of a retired teacher and a public servant, combining forces to serve as instructors and coaches, the Weehawken golf team was formed this spring.
Seventeen students initially expressed interest in joining the team, which was slated to play varsity action against other teams in the Bergen County Scholastic League. However, the other teams like New Milford, Cresskill and Leonia have experienced teams and long-established programs. The kids from Weehawken never even played on a golf course before.
“I just like the idea that it was a new sport I never tried before,” said sophomore Jairo Polanco, who had never even swung a golf club before joining the team two months ago. “I like trying new sports and see how things turn out. I never played before, but I was excited to try.”
So was junior Patrick Lee, but he had some experience. His father, David, plays golf and once took Patrick to the driving range to hit a few balls. But Patrick never made it to the links with his father.
“I like trying things that are new,” Lee said. “I wanted to play, but I never did before.”
The band of Weehawken golf novices took the advice of the two experienced teachers.
Teaching golf
While Nersesian was expected to be a natural coach – because of his experience in doing so – Zucconi, a former Hudson County assistant prosecutor who has worked for the township for the last eight years, had only taught his daughter, Erika, to play the game. But Zucconi had a track record of success, because Erika Zucconi became so good of a golfer that she earned a golf scholarship to Wagner College.
“It was so rewarding to see her progress as a golfer,” Zucconi said. “So when I heard about the golf team starting at Weehawken, I jumped in with both feet. I told them that I’d really like to help out.”
Nersesian said that the aid from Zucconi has been priceless. Zucconi even donated four sets of golf clubs to help the cause.
“With Bob offering help and instruction, we have kids that have never even swung a golf club before actually competing already,” Nersesian said. “We’re not winning yet. That will take some time. But they’re really making progress and it’s great to see.”
Of course, Weehawken doesn’t have a home golf course like some of its competitors, so the team has to head to either Overpeck in Teaneck or Rockleigh in Alpine for practice rounds and matches.
Because Weehawken joined the BCSL for competitive play, they were able to secure rates and tee times through the Bergen County Parks Administration, enabling the kids to hit the links as often as possible.
However, because of the brutal winter weather, the Weehawken kids weren’t overly prepared before their first match.
“The first time they were on the golf course was the first match they played,” Nersesian said. “There’s a lot to learn in golf, and unfortunately, there wasn’t more time to prepare.”
Still, both Nersesian and Zucconi are encouraged from what they’ve seen thus far.
“It’s really been a success story,” Nersesian said. “The kids have held their own and haven’t embarrassed themselves. The putting has been killing us. It’s a lot different putting on a real green instead of your living room carpet.”
When Lee was asked what the toughest part of the game has been, he had a very simple answer.
“Getting the ball into the hole,” said Lee, who is Weehawken’s top golfer, shooting in the mid-50s for nine holes on a consistent basis.
Yes, Patrick. Hundreds of thousands of fellow golfers would agree with that assessment.
While the Indians are winless still on the links, they’re getting closer to that elusive first victory.
“They are really coming close,” Nersesian said. “We’ve had kids win their holes. We’ve had our share of pars. No birdies yet, but we’re getting there. I constantly tell the kids how proud I am of them, but when you’re not winning, it’s so difficult. If we improve on our putting, we can win a match.”
Zucconi agreed.
“I’m really proud of the way they’ve come along,” Zucconi said. “They really conduct themselves like gentlemen. They’ve learned the etiquette of the game right away. They’re playing much better than when we started with them.”
Other than Lee and Polanco, the remainder of the team consists of senior Rich Barsa, senior Alex Chong, freshman William Phillips and sophomore Francisco Veloz.
The Indians have one more match this season Thursday at Overpeck in Teaneck. Nersesian and Zucconi hope that more kids come out next year and show interest in playing golf.
Both Lee and Polanco will return.
“I’ve learned a lot and I’m going to continue playing,” Polanco said. “I’m trying to learn how to use the different clubs for different distances. That has been hard. It’s a very big challenge, but it’s turned out much better than I thought.”
“It has been fun,” Lee said. “I’m just going to try to get better at it. I want to improve.”
Those are the encouraging words that Nersesian and Zucconi want to hear. Because improvement will mean that the program will eventually flourish.
Now, if they can only work on getting a home course in Weehawken.
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