Anthony Boyle opened his season Thursday, as the No. 1 player on the Upper Perkiomen golf team, in disappointing fashion.  In nine holes at Macoby Run in a non-league 244-246 loss to Brandywine Heights, the junior posted a 51; 15 strokes over par. 

                "I was not at all happy," Boyle said. "I didn't hit the ball well. I couldn't chip or putt. I couldn't do anything. I know I can play better. I have to put it all together."

                The junior, who missed qualifying for last year's District One tournament by one stroke, looks to solidify his spot as the Indians' top player.  Head coach John Brittain described Boyle's game as steady.

                "Anthony does a lot of things well," Brittain said. "His approach to the game is solid. In a week or two, his game should be back to where we think it should be."

                Boyle called his tee shots the best part of his game.  "I would rather crush a drive 250 yards than hit a wedge 100 yards on a par 3," he said. "I like to know I have those extra shots."

                As a sophomore, Boyle utilized that approach last season to emerge as a solid No. 2 player for the Indians. Playing in the same foursome as teammate Drew Kreibel, he thrived down the stretch, according to Brittain.  "I didn't think Anthony was overwhelmed," the coach said. "He has seen what it takes to be a number one. My hope is that he keeps getting better and better."

                However, Brittain expressed concern that Boyle did not play as much golf over the summer as the coach would have preferred.  "He's a 16-year-old kid who did 16-year-old things," the coach said.

                Boyle said he played at least once a month, and that he sometimes lacked the time or a partner with whom to play additional rounds.  "I could have played more," he said. "That showed during our first match."

                Although Boyle called golf one of his better sports, he described getting into college as his top priority.  "If I could play golf at college, that would be great," he said.

                Ryan Sitko, a senior, posted a team-best 46 for Upper Perkiomen in its season-opening match Thursday. Joe Greco (48), Matt Sitko (49), Boyle and Aaron Benner (52) rounded out the team's top five scorers.

                Brittain described Benner, a senior, as the team's most experienced player. The coach said Ryan Sitko, his brother Matt and Greco – all of whom debuted with varsity last season – should improve as the season goes on.

                A trio of freshman, Macauley Swenk, Deion Doperak and Brett Miller, could also make an impact this season, according to Brittain.

                Swenk played in the No. 2 spot on Thursday. The coach said he wanted the ninth grader to see what it takes to compete with good players.  "Macauley has a lot of ability," Brittain said.

                With its Pioneer Athletic Conference opening match against Boyertown scheduled for Tuesday, the Indians lineup appears to be in flux.  "Our scores were not very good (Thursday)," the coach said. "I don't know how long I will stick with that lineup."

                According to Brittain, the next step in the program's development for every golfer to shoot for a nine-hole round of 45, which he described as "bogey golf."  "That score is not good enough to win many matches," the coach said. "I won't be pleased with that result, but if we do that we're going in the right direction."

                A competitive JV team, which will be playing a full schedule for the first time, should help drive down the varsity scores, according to Brittain.  One of those challengers could be Addisen Miller, the coach said.

                According to Brittain, the junior possesses a natural swing and honed instincts for the game.