Valairco Heating and Cooling Highlander Athlete of the Week: Mark Capparelli, Governor Livingston Golf

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Mark Capparelli has been named the Valairco Heating and Cooling Highlander Athlete of the Week after a stellar season on the links that included winning the UCIAC Mountain Division Championship — and culminated in a top-10 sectional finish that earned him a coveted spot in the Tournament of Champions.The Governor Livingston senior has been one of the most consistent and competitive golfers in the area this spring, and his body of work speaks for itself.A Season to RememberCapparelli wasted no time making an impact this spring. He opened the season with a 37 to place first against Summit, followed that up with a 36 against Glen Ridge, and later fired a 37 against Madison. But his biggest individual moments came on the biggest stages.He claimed the UCIAC Mountain Conference Championship title with a round of 79, a performance that showcased both his shot-making and his ability to compete when it matters most. At the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 2 Championship, he fired a 72 and finished in a four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard, placing fourth in the final standings – but that was more than enough to qualify for the Tournament of Champions as one of the top 10 finishers in his section.In His Own WordsCapparelli credits preparation as a major factor in his sectional performance."The prep I did for the course was the key factor in how I played on Monday," he said. "Knowing that this course was short, I planned to hit mainly driver and put a wedge in my hand as much as I could. This worked well for the most part."He played a back nine of 34 (-1) once conditions settled, adjusting smartly to the challenging front nine where 10-25 mph winds forced him to change his approach. "My strategy for those holes was getting as many greens in regulation as I could and giving myself chances to score well — relying on my putter instead of my wedges," he said.Reaching the Tournament of Champions carries personal significance for him, especially given how the earlier stages of the postseason went."It means so much to me, especially because I felt I underperformed in districts and counties," Capparelli said. "It's a great feeling knowing that when my back was up against the wall, I could compete and earn myself another start before my high school career ends."And he's not heading to the Tournament of Champions just to participate. "My personal goal is to place well and be in the hunt for first place," he said. “This is not a tournament where I'm just going to have fun — I want my high school career to go out with a bang.”The BackstoryWhat makes Capparelli's rise even more remarkable is how recently he picked up the sport. He first got into golf the summer going into his sophomore year, after injuring his shoulder playing baseball."My brother took me to the course with his friends and I loved it immediately," he said. "I made the decision to play golf instead of baseball a couple months before my sophomore season."In fewer than three years, he has transformed himself into one of the top players in the area. "I've been playing golf for just under three years now and my game has changed tremendously," Capparelli said. “Every part of my game I consider a weapon rather than a weakness. Over the last year, I would say my progress has been more mental improvements rather than physical.”The Coach's PerspectiveGovernor Livingston head coach Sharon Leahy has watched Capparelli develop from a newcomer into a conference champion, and she says his mindset has always been the separator."His mindset stands out the most," Leahy said. "He stays composed and focused, and his commitment to practice gives him an edge."She pointed to his short game as the area of greatest improvement this season. "His short game has improved substantially, and that's made a big difference in his scores," she said.Leahy also noted that Capparelli's winning of the Mountain Division title was no small feat. "Winning the Mountain Division with a 79 is a big accomplishment given how competitive it is this year," she said. "It shows his ability to perform under pressure and reflects how much he's grown as a player."As the team's low scorer, Capparelli played a central role in Governor Livingston finishing third overall as a team. "His consistency was key to the team finishing third," Leahy said.But beyond the numbers, Leahy wants people to know who Capparelli is off the scorecard. "He sets the tone with his work ethic and focus," she said. “He shows strong leadership, sportsmanship, and respect for others.”Mark Capparelli is a senior at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights. He will compete in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions.Editor's note: Brett Peer is a rising junior at Virginia Tech majoring in Communications, Public Relations, and Sports Media. He is gaining hands-on journalism experience through the TAPinto internship program. To learn more about internship opportunities, email bpeer@tapinto.net.