Derek Kisslinger spends his days as a Physical Education teacher at the Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School, and his afternoons, in season, coaching the Hendrick Hudson Varsity Golf Team.
Kisslinger, an 18-year veteran of the Hen Hud district, loves his coaching duties, and was proud to have put together a year-end team outing last week at the Hollow Brook Golf Club, in Cortlandt Manor. This year’s squad of 11 players earned its second League Championship in a row, with an overall record of 15 wins and 2 losses. Team members all got T-shirts commemorating the achievement, along with varsity letters and other recognitions.
For this last outing of the year, the team invites teachers and staff to join the team players in a round of golf, after which they enjoy a casual meal, followed by awards. “The students love that,” Kisslinger said.
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Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter was among the participants. “I was honored to be invited and glad I participated,” Hochreiter said. “I was paired up with three seniors. It was a great event for me to learn more about the players, their interests and plans after graduating from Hen Hud. My biggest take-away was the mutual respect and relationship that exists between coach and his players. It is always great to see players and staff interact in these ways, outside of the daily rigors and stresses of the school day.”
Golf is unlike most other high school sports in that comparative physical size matters much less than talent and experience. “They can start as low as seventh grade,” Kisslinger says. He is losing five players to graduation and keeping six, so there is ample room on the roster for new players.
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Another difference from other high school sports is the absence of parents on the sidelines. “It’s a different beast,” Kisslinger says of the high school golf game – allowing students to focus completely on their own performance without the distraction of spectators.
This year’s All League honorees were: Ben Solnick, Daniel O'Connor and DJ Perez. All League Honorable Mention : Andrew Weiner and Rob Albano. Team Awards - Lowest Individual Differential: Daniel O'Connor; Coach’s Award: Ben Solnick.
