Sep 29, 2015 By Eleanor Bailey 3 min read

Al D’Alo has long been associated with Mt. Lebanon High School golf, but during his playing days in the 1990s and during his 12 combined years as varsity and JV head coach, he has not fielded a better team than the 2015 unit. The squad is 12-0 this season.

“This is by far our best team,” said D’Alo, who also played baseball for the Blue Devils from 1993-94.

For the first time in a long time, Lebo’s top six players are averaging under 40 for nine holes, and its No. 7 and No. 8 duffers are just barely at 40.

Gabe Ness captains the club. The senior averages 37. Last week, he earned medalist honors, firing a 77 for 18 holes during the Section 6 championships.

“Gabe has provided excellent leadership by showing the other guys how to work hard, compete, show sportsmanship and how to approach the game,” D’Alo said. “It makes coaching a lot easier when you have a guy that leads by example and also happens to be your best golfer.”

However, D’Alo noted that the Blue Devils have had a different player as medalist almost every match. “Every guy has chipped in and helped the team win.”

For example, Anthony Gaughan sealed Lebo’s victory against Upper St. Clair. Gaughan carded a 1-under-34 and clinched the victory on the last hole.

“We hadn’t beaten USC in over a decade,” D’Alo noted. “Although we didn’t play our best and neither did they, it was our best win of the season so far. Though not our best round, beating a rival always is more fun.”

J.T. Nicholas has had his share of fun this fall for the Blue Devils. The sophomore scored the best round with a 3-under par.

Seniors Christian Vietmeier and Stephen McFarland as well as juniors Sam Bellini, Andrew Smith and Wyatt Smith have contributed to the team’s success. According to D’Alo, chemistry has been the team’s secret to success. “The boys are good friends,” he said. “Yet they are very competitive with each other.”

And they are great representatives of the game. D’Alo, who played under Dick Black and Del Simmons, has adopted his mentors’ philosophy regarding teaching the sport.

“(My coaches) taught me the importance of sportsmanship and etiquette in the game of golf, and that is the most important aspect of this game that I hope to pass down to my players today,” D’Alo said.

If that translates into more victories, D’Alo will take them, too. He believes the Blue Devils can contend for the WPIAL title, which currently is in the possession of the Peters Township Indians. They are undefeated, too.

“Our goal is to win the WPIAL team championship, and in order to do that, everyone has to play to their potential,” D’Alo said. “The competition going forward is very stiff, and we know that.

“On paper there are probably teams with better averages, but if we play our best, we can compete and maybe/hopefully win.”

Selep qualifies

John Selep of Bethel Park earned runner-up medalist honors during the Section 6 tournament played at the Westwood Golf Course. He shot a 78, one stroke off the pace set by Mt. Lebanon’s Gabe Nass. Lebo’s Sam Bellini carded an 80 to finish tied for third.

All three advanced to the WPIAL semifinals.

South Fayette’s Alec Lacinski shot a 75 and advanced to the semifinals of the WPIAL Class AA golf tournament, to be held Oct. 1 at Allegheny Country Club.

Michael Forgas and Jake Trimbur shot 84 each and tied for fifth place in the qualifier.