It’s a family affair at Marlboro for the Trapani household – Daily Freeman

Marlboro High School girls golf coach Gary Trapani with his daughters Alexa, 14, left, and Taylor, 16, at the Apple Greens Golf Course in Highland, NY, on Monday, April 22, 2024. (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman)

MARLBORO, NY – Although Gary Trapani has been coaching sports in the Marlboro School District for almost 25 years, this year has proven to be a special season.

Trapani’s two daughters, Alexa and Taylor, are both members of the undefeated Marlboro High girls golf team.

Trapani, who is in his fourth season as girls golf coach, feels fortunate to be coaching both of his daughters on a varsity team for the first time in his long career.

“This is what dreams are made of,” Trapani said. “I started coaching in Marlboro in the spring of 2000. I have coached modified, jayvee and varsity girls basketball. I was the varsity track coach for 16 years. I coached football and cross country. But this is the job I’ve always wanted. Having both my girls there is priceless. It’s quality time and it goes too fast.”

Alexa, a 14-year-old eighth grader, qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls Golf Championship last season after placing seventh in the Section 9 Championship.

“I’ve had a bat in my hands since I was little,” Alexa said. “I mainly learned the game from my father.”

Alexa added that her father helped her with the mental aspect of the game.

‘He usually says, ‘Keep your head in the game. Don’t lose your mind. Always one shot after another. And if you have a bad hole, just forget about it. The next hole could be your best hole of the day,” Alexa said.

Trapani agrees that he has always tried to stay positive when coaching his two daughters and the other girls on the golf team.

“This game is mainly mental,” Trapani said. “I do my best to be positive. If Alexa goes out and shoots, say, 45, and she thinks it’s bad, I’m still proud of her. I tell her she went out and joined in. I don’t think about it. She’s so young and she has so much ahead of her, I just want to make it a positive experience. Taylor shot 53 in her first round in four years. I was very proud of her.”

Taylor, a junior, returned to the team this season after a two-year hiatus to compete in other sports. She adds depth to the Dukes’ roster, which includes her younger sister as No. 1 golfer and starters Gwen Benninger and Madison Markle.

Taylor marvels at how well Alexa is playing at such a young age.

“It’s crazy to me to see how far above everyone else she is at her age,” Taylor said. “I think she enjoys it and that really helps her commit to it.”

Alexa, who recorded a low round of even par 71 in a practice round at Apple Greens Golf Course (Marlboro’s home course) earlier this year, is looking forward to improving at the Section 9 Championship and qualifying again this year the state tournament.

“I would like to be in the top 30 in the United States,” she said.

Alexa finished second to Alexandra Young in the first Ulster County Junior Girls Championship at Green Acres Golf Course last year. Young, a sophomore at Onteora High, shot an 11-over 83 to beat Trapani (87) by four shots.

“We have a friendly rivalry,” Alexa said of her relationship with Young.

Alexa is currently working on her game with golf pro Anders Mattson of Saratoga Springs.

Trapani said his wife, Theresa, deserves a lot of credit for her help.

“Whenever I have a conflict, she brings Alexa to Saratoga for her classes,” Trapani said. “She is very supportive. It’s nice to have someone who thinks along with us.”

Both of Trapani’s daughters are happy that their father is their coach.

“It’s really fun to have him as our coach,” Alexa said. “We talk about the game and how we can improve it.”

“He lets me do my thing,” Taylor said.