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GOLF: A Senior's Gratitude to Play as La Salle College High School & Little Flower Earn First Place Team Titles At The 2017 PCL Golf Championships

By Andrew Masterson, 10/04/17, 12:30PM EDT

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CHELTENHAM, PA - La Salle senior Matthew Acker was not worried about playing golf yesterday afternoon. His first priority was to get out of the hospital.


La Salle College High School, the 2017 PCL Champions. – PSD photo by Andrew Masterson

In June of this year, Acker was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. The illness had put him in and out of hospitals all summer long. After a brief stay away from the doctors and back to regular life this season, pain struck again in an untimely manner.

“I was back in the hospital for three days (Wednesday Thursday and Friday), last week,” Acker said. “I didn’t even know if I was going to be out here. It really changed my perspective on life.”

Not only did Acker get out of the hospital, he came back to the tournament with a bang. Playing as an individual, Acker shot 82, good enough to qualify him for All Catholic Honors and a spot in Districts next week. The senior, partaking in his last PCL Championship, was incredibly grateful to be playing golf with his team.

“It is truly a blessing to be out here,” Acker said. “Three days ago I was sitting in a hospital bed and now I am playing golf. I have learned to never take anything for granted.”

With an emotional leader in Acker, the Explorers went out and defended their title handily with a fifteen stroke victory over runner-up Saint Joseph’s Prep on Tuesday at the JC Melrose Country Club. This came largely in part to low rounds of 77 by senior T.J. Chaykosky and junior Frank Gregor, who shot 76 in last year’s championship. La Salle’s head coach, Marty Jackson, noted that Gregor has been a consistent mainstay when the competition is at its highest level. 


Senior T.J. Chaykosky nails a birdie putt on the third hole at J.C. Melrose Country Club. Chaykosky went on to shoot 77 to help the Explorers win their third straight PCL Championship. - PSD Photo by Andrew Masterson

“Frankie really has a lot of skill,” coach Jackson said. “There isn’t a bad part of his game, and shooting even par on the front nine was huge for us.”


The view from the 18th green at J.C Melrose Country Club. - PSD Photo by Andrew Masterson


Some of the members of La Salle’s team wait for the rest of their team to finish on the par four ninth hole - PSD Photo by Andrew Masterson

Everything was rolling for the Explorers, with the  PCL individual title going to junior Matthew Law, who shot a staggering 1-over 71.

He credited the bulk of his low score to staying out of dangerous situations.

“I kept the ball out of trouble and made some good putts at good times,” Law said. “Nothing too fancy just played consistently.”

With a win at the PCL’s for the third straight year and 15th title since 2000, the Explorer’s main focus now is Districts.

“Us and the Prep go at it every year, but this result is not going to matter at Districts,” coach Jackson said. “They’re going to play five and we’re going to play five, and we hope to continue to be on a roll.”

Caitlin Panei of Little Flower was the individual girls champion, shooting a low score of 98.

She found what set her apart was her driving of the golf ball. 

“I didn’t play that well today, but my strength was my driving,” Panei said. “It gave me the head start I needed.”

Panei, a senior at Little Flower, has aspirations of playing golf in college.

“I would really like to play in college, but I don’t know, studies come first,” Panei said. “For now, it’s a great feeling to leave here a champion.”

The District XII final will take place at the Bluestone Country Club in Bluebell, PA on Tuesday, Oct. 10.


Panei with all of her hardware. She was the season long scoring champion, the PCL individual scoring champion, and her team, Little Flower, was the PCL Champion. - PSD photo by Andrew Masterson

See below for additional team and individual scores:

Individual Leaderboard

Boys:
1. Matt Law, La Salle College (71)
2. Dan DiRita, Archbishop Carroll (75)
3. TJ Chaylosky, La Salle College (77)
    Frank Gregor, La Salle College (77)
    Will Keane, St. Joseph's Prep (77)
6. Andrew Gallagher, St. Joseph's Prep
    Dylan Williams, Bonner & Prendie (78)
8. Buddy Hansen, La Salle College (80)
    Steve Lorenzo, La Salle College (80)
    Joe Morganti, St. Joseph's Prep (80)
    Drew Stern, St. Joseph's Prep (80)

Girls:

1. Caitlin Panei, Little Flower (98)

2. Ryan Doherty, St. Huberts (104)

3. Tori Wajda, John W. Hallahan (108)


Andrew Gallagher of St. Joseph’s Prep, the Season Long Scoring Champion. - PSD photo by Andrew Masterson


Caitlin Panei, the PCL women’s individual champion.- PSD Photo by Andrew Masterson

2017 PCL Golf Championship
Boys' Team Scores
1. La Salle College (466)
2. St. Joseph's  Prep (481)
3. Archbishop Carroll (521)
4. Bonner & Prendie (528)
5. Cardinal O'Hara (536)
6. Archbishop Wood (547)
7. Lansdale Catholic (553)
8. Conwell-Egan (607)
 
NTS: Father Judge, Roman