Cedar Grove Golf’s Record-Breaking Season — Powered by Practice at Golf Paradise Club
When the weather doesn’t cooperate and daylight disappears early, high school golf teams have a tough choice: pause development… or find a better way to train.
This spring, Cedar Grove Coach Valenzano and the Cedar Grove Panthers Golf Squad chose the second option — and it paid off in a big way.
After practicing at Golf Paradise Club (GPC) in Verona, the Panthers put together a record-breaking 2026 season, highlighted by team milestones, individual standout performances, and the kind of confidence you can see on the first tee.
A smarter way to practice: dial in distances, then compete
Coach Valenzano shared that the team built a consistent routine at GPC:
They’d start by using the simulator’s “range” function so every player could gauge the distances of the clubs in their bag — then move into course play where teammates could challenge each other to score.
That combination mattered.
“The facility and equipment is spot on accurate and beneficial for a real feel,” Coach Valenzano said.
It’s not just about hitting balls — it’s about learning your numbers, making better decisions, and getting comfortable under pressure.
Measurable results: records, states, and players shooting in the 30s
The results speak for themselves.
According to Coach Valenzano, the 2026 season was record breaking for Cedar Grove:
- The team matched a program record of 157
- They made the state tournament as a team
- They had multiple players shoot in the 30’s in 9-hole matches
- One player finished Top 5 in the Essex County Tournament with a +1 (71)
Coach Valenzano credits the team’s work ethic first — but also emphasized how having a reliable place to train helped them sharpen skills and reduce mistakes:
“This is certainly contributed to the amazing facilities we have access to to hone our skills and reduce mistakes and mis-swings!”
The turning point: confidence you can build — and bring to the course
When asked about a “turning point” moment, Coach Valenzano pointed to something every golfer understands: the moment you realize improvement is real.
For Cedar Grove, it showed up in match scores — and in mindset.
“Our growth is due to the work our players put in to improving… This game is all about chasing improvement knowing you can make that shot!”
That belief — that you can hit the shot — is often what separates a good round from a great one.
What the players loved: welcoming staff, flexibility, and comfort
High school teams need more than technology. They need a facility that runs smoothly, respects schedules, and makes it easy to focus.
Coach Valenzano called Golf Paradise “a special place,” highlighting the experience from start to finish:
- “The employees are kind, prepared, organized and welcoming.”
- “Our bays are always ready when we are.”
- “They are flexible… and accommodate us on short notice in any weather.”
- “The team enjoys the casual nature, the amazing technology and comfortable seating!”
The features that made practice more effective
When it comes to training younger players, feedback matters — and seeing your swing can be a game-changer.
For Cedar Grove, video replay stood out most:
“Video replay is a huge deal. A lot of teens learn by doing and seeing.”
Coach Valenzano also mentioned a few other details that made a real difference:
- Lefty spots (important when you’ve got a southpaw on the team)
- The putting halo
- Strong course selection for variety and challenge
When asked to describe the experience at Golf Paradise Club in three words, Coach Valenzano didn’t hesitate:
“Improvement, confidence, state of the art.”
More than golf: building well-rounded student-athletes
Beyond scores and tournaments, Coach Valenzano emphasized what the program is really about: developing student-athletes with pride, class, and respect.
The 2026 team was a senior-led group, and the accomplishments went beyond the course — including two varsity starters ranked Top 10 at CGHS with GPAs over 4.3.
“We want to be well rounded student athletes who personify Pride – Class & Respect… Thank you Golf Paradise for being a positive part of our Spring Golf Season!”
Want to train like a team that makes states?
If you’re a coach looking for a reliable, weather-proof place to practice — with accurate technology, video replay, and a team that’s ready when you are — we’d love to host you.