Cocca's potential as junior golfer amazing

SCHENECTADY — If Bailey Cocca can figure out her short game, she could become one of the Capital Region’s next golf stars.

She’s already whittled her handicap down to 7 at the age of 14, and she will be among the favorites in the girls’ 12-18 division of the Gazette’s annual Newspaper in Education Capital District Junior Golf Championship, to be played Friday at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course.

A tournament-record 11 girls will be competing in a stellar field of 97 players overall. The event will award gross and Calloway net prizes in the girls’ 12-18, boys’ 15-18 and boys’ 12-14 age divisions. Special prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin will also be awarded. Play begins with an 8 a.m. shotgun.

Bailey already has a strong

resume. The Shaker Ridge Country Club member won two Northeastern New York PGA Junior Golf Tour events and was only four shots from qualifying for the championship flight in this year’s New York State Women’s Amateur.

“I ended up in the third flight,” she said. “I played a college girl in the first round of match play and beat her, 3-and-2. Then I played another college girl in the next round and beat her, 2-and-1. I couldn’t play on the last day because my mom was getting out of the hospital.”

It’s no surprise that Bailey’s strength is off the tee. Her father, left-hander Jim Cocca, is one of the area’s best players, and he is also fun to watch with a driver in his hand.

“My long game is pretty good,” she said. “I like the driver. It’s my favorite club. But my short game is the worst. I’ve got to practice a lot more. The other day, I had 41 putts.”

Cocca knows that no matter how well she hits the ball, she won’t be able to score until she conquers the short game.

“My dad keeps telling me that the shots 100 yards and in are the most important,” she said. “I just got a new putter, and I like the alignment a lot better. I just need to work on my short game more. I really don’t like to practice much, but I love playing in tournaments.”

Bailey says her father is her main coach, but she has also received lessons from Shaker Ridge CC assistant pro Scott Berliner and Country Club of Troy head pro Mike Kucera.

She has already learned to battle pressure.

“Usually, when I’m on the first tee, I get a little nervous, but then I settle down. I also get a little nervous on the last couple of holes coming in if I think I have a chance to win,” she said. “But the nerves usually don’t bother me much.”

Cocca will be challenged by the Mohawk Golf Club trio of Sarah Romer (1 handicap), Jenn Murphy (1) and Rachel Murphy (3), as well as by Jacqueline Young (2) and Lisa Gyangen (3) of The Edison Club, Jessica Madsen (1) and Grace Ziamandanis of Colonie Golf and Country Club, Stephanie Bednar (1) of Columbia Golf and Country Club and Sarah Adamowski (2) of Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course.

The boys’ 15-18 division is loaded with the strongest group in tournament history.

Bryan Barach of Mohawk, Brad Krohl of Ballston Spa Country Club, Nick Longo of Albany Country Club, Ryan Prinzo of Normanside Country Club and Mark Sabatino of Saratoga Lake are listed as scratch.

Owning handicaps of 1 are Dan Bennison of Pinehaven Country Club, Andrew Bissonette of Stadium, Kevin Brown of Orchard Creek, James Buchanan of Olde Kinderhook, Joe Cimmino of Western Turnpike, Justin Deitz of The Edison Club, Dan DeNyse of Capital Hills, Chris Farah of

Mohawk, Alex Hoppe of Schenectady Municipal, Shane Kisielis of Amsterdam Municipal, Joe Macaluso of Saratoga National, Sean Miles of Ballston Spa Country Club, Justin Schnellbaecher of Frear Park, Weston Shapiro of Amsterdam Municipal, Joe Watroba of Schenectady Municipal, John Young of Mechanicville Golf Club and Kyle Young of Cronin’s.

In the boys’ 12-14 division, Alex DeMarco (1) of Stadium, Jon Farah (1) of Mohawk, Victor Fox (1) of Normanside, Chris Gigiio (1) of Pinehaven CC, Jim Greg (1), who is unattached, Zach Lauzon (1) of Capital Hills, Ryan Lynch (1) of Schenectady Municipal, and D.J. Tozier (1) of Mohawk are the top contenders.

PAIRINGS

1A — Bryan Barach, Brad Krohl, Nick Longo, Ryan Prinzo.

1B — Jim Buchanan, Justin Deitz, Shane Kisielis, Mark Sabatino.

2A — James Bologna, Scott Brayden, Joe Macaluso, Sean Miles.

3A — Seth Adams, Bryan Gorman, Victor Ralbovsky, Jeff Stopera.

3B — Chris Hilliker, Derek MacLeod, Josh Powers, Patrick Seebald.

4A — Brandon Bush, Conor Hart, Pete Koehler, Chris Mathewson.

5A — Erik Hill, Brendan Jeffes, Isaiah Marcelle, Matt McCaffrey.

5B — Animesh Hajela, Ethan Kreisel, Alex Olbrych, Kevin Schlansker.

6A — Lucas Grant, William Mallia, David Mastroianni, Ran Zielinski.

7A — Kevin Brown, Joe Cimmino, Kyle Young, John Young.

8A — Daniel DeNyse, Chris Farah, Alex Hoppe, Brian Schlansker.