The Mineola Varsity Golf team is the epitome of youth. The team is dominated by underclassmen including seven freshmen, a lone sophomore and three eighth graders. The seasoned veteran is Junior Captain Alex Eisen who is beginning his third season as a starter for the putting Mustangs. Coach Al Weidlein is encouraged by the determination and spirit displayed by this group as they battle some of the best competition at the finest venues on Long Island.

The future of the golf program lies in the wrists of a quintet of freshmen led by Co-Captain Joe Calabro. Joined by classmates Anthony Fabrico, Nick Grimaldi, Jack Clarke and Tyler Cashin, these boys will be in the starting rotation for the second consecutive year. Eisen, Calabro and Fabrico, in particular, will be counted on to earn points against some on the top golfers on the North Shore. Among those they will be striving to defeat are talents such as Michael Cott of Roslyn and Louis Perry of Carle Place.

The balance of the group is formed by Sophmore Paul Krumholz and Freshmen Matt Morris and Tyler Wolf. The team also welcomes a trio of newcomers from the Middle School including Tom Ward, Spencer Wolf and Amanda Hassett. Weidlein knows his first year players will find it difficult but is enamored of their hard work and spirit as they don the red and black for the first time.

This season's challenges and rewards go far beyond the opponents beside them at every tee box. The Mustangs travel to a prestigious set of courses including Bethpage State Park, the home of one of Tiger Woods' recent U.S. Open victories, and Eisenhower Park, an annual host to a Senior PGA Tour event. In addition, the team will experience the beauty and treacherousness of such well renowned private clubs including Piping Rock, The Creek and Wheatley Hills. This evidences the special value of varsity golf as most players never have the ability to return to these courses. Despite the obstacles, real or imagined, these athletes face at each location, the team will have a bonding experience that will become a foundation of memories for the rest of their lives.