In sports, a single inch can be the difference between winning and losing. From swinging two inches too high on a fast pitch in baseball, to being one inch from the hole in golf, failure can occur when athletes fail to have the total mental focus needed in sports. Despite being an inch away from winning the championships last year, the varsity boys’ golf team is ready to win the 2010 AAA city golf championship this season.

On March 10, the Cardinals won their first match against the Galileo Lions by a score of 228-317. Although the Cardinals easily won, players felt that they still needed to improve as a team. “We need to improve on our short game, or when the ball is closer to the hole and on the green,” sophomore golfer Tom Ebergen said. “Specifically, we should work on our chipping and putting.”

Last year, one of the team’s main weaknesses was the lack of effort and work ethic. This resulted in a frustrating second-place finish against Washington in the championship game, 445-447. “We choked last year in the championships,” sophomore golfer Jonathan Duong said. “We lost in two strokes with six Lowell players.”

However, this year, the team hopes to work harder than ever and maintain the desire to win. “There’s always room for improvement,” senior golfer Sam Berry said. “We plan to practice harder and golf everyday.”

On Feb. 22, the team took on Archbishop Riordan in a scrimmage before the season started. The Cardinals unfortunately lost, but the players gained valuable experience playing against a tough non-league opponent.

Despite the loss of senior captain golfer Aaron Chin, the team has three new freshmen who all have potential. One freshman golfer, Scott Bang, has been playing for almost a year but is still getting accustomed to high school golf. “As a freshman, I still need to listen to the coach, play well, give all of my effort, practice everyday and show full commitment,” Bang said.

Come watch the Cardinals play at 3 p.m. next Wednesday, March 24, at Lincoln Park against the Burton Pumas and Marshall Phoenixes.