By Elaina DePetro

Going into this year’s golf season, Zack Taylor faced a unique dilemma. When you win WPIALs as a freshman, what do you do as a follow up?

The answer for Taylor was to go right back to the WPIAL finals. This year, however, Taylor came up a bit short, shooting a 79 and ending his hopes for a second straight championship.

“I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t do better,” Taylor said. “It just makes me want to do better next year.”

In late September, the team had gone to WPIAL sectionals with four players qualifying: Taylor, Tony Thornton, Bailey Kavanugh, and Greg Stofanak.  Taylor was accompanied to the finals this year by Thornton, an alternate.

Certainty, last year’s championship had been a thrill for Taylor. At Treesdale Golf and Country Club, Taylor shot a 1-under 71 for the title.

     “It was crazy, how everything happened. It was unexpected. It caught me off guard.” Taylor said.

Winning the WPIAL title as a freshman certainly made a statement.

“It was great. He is an all-time great player,” Coach Jim Stanko said of Taylor and his win last year.

After last year’s championship, Taylor continued to work over the summer to get ready for this year.

“I practiced up at the Wallace golf room, and played tournaments over the summer. Every time I practice my routine is different. I probably currently practice like four times a week,” Taylor said.

Before heading off to finals this year, Taylor acknowledged the burden of the expectation that he would repeat.

“It’s a lot of pressure to live up to last year,” Taylor said.

Stanko said the expectations were overshadowed by the intensity of the competition at that top level of play.

“It’s the fact that there are a lot of great players,” Stanko said.

Taylor is far from the only talent on the golf team. The golf team has not had a losing season in 25 years. The team has had 10 section champions and two individual champions.

“I love to see all the Baldwin teams be successful, and I love the interaction with the golfers,” Stanko said.

Staying strong all season is hard, but Taylor looks to his family.

“My uncle gives me inspiration. He taught me how to golf and helps me all the time,” Taylor said.

In the off season, Taylor plays in tournaments and practices. People might think he would be at home watching golf, but he is not.

“I don’t watch a lot of golf,” Taylor said. “It is boring to watch.”