BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Clarkston Boys Varsity Golf is back on the green after opening the season with the Southern Swing last Friday and Saturday.
“I love starting out on a tournament like this because the entire program gets to play over that two day span,” said Al Hilarides, head coach. “It gives me a better idea of expectations for the season.”
He added they have a larger team than normal with nine golfers on varsity this season.
“I kept extras this year because the talent level was so tight at the top it didn’t feel right letting any of them go,” Hilarides explained.
Returning from last year’s team are Kaiden Rose, Blake Botterill, Andrew Parillo and Cristian Walk.
New to the varsity team are Zach Bauer, Dru Brody, Ryan Bovee, Josh Powe and Jose De Negris, who is new to the program.
“We have a lot of experience on the team and I’m super excited for the season,” Hilarides said. “We have a pretty solid team.”
He added he is looking forward to the season.
“We have a full docket this year when it comes to invitationals,” Hilarides said. “We are going to be playing at a lot of really cool courses. I’m very jealous of my golfers having the chance to play on some of these courses because they are challenging but beautiful. From what I have seen so far in our practices we have a chance to come in with some low scores. I’m looking forward to seeing what our athletes can do in competition.”
Hilarides joins the Wolves as head coach and has years of experience as he has coached since he left college.
“My dad was my golf coach throughout high school and I loved the experience,” Hilarides said. “Once I got my first teaching job I knew I wanted to get involved in athletics because I knew first hand the effect coaching can have on young people.”
He has coached on many levels. His first varsity coaching job was at Harper Creek High School.
“During my tenure there we were able to take home the All-City title which Harper Creek had not won in many years prior to that,” he said.
His family and him decided to move to the east side of the state four years ago.
“My wife, Katie, is a teacher and the JVB Girls Golf coach at Stoney Creek High School. I was the varsity coach for the boys at Stoney Creek High School for the past two years and the JV coach at Rochester High School the year prior to that.”
They have two children, Jeffrey and Erin, who go to Hugger Elementary.
Al started teaching social studies at Clarkston Junior High School four years ago.
“The people I work with are phenomenal and the families in the community are great,” he said. “When Pete (Gallagher) stepped down as head coach I jumped at the opportunity to coach here.”

  Boys Golf, Golf