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Iron Mike
North Point junior shines along with senior class
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo File photo by REID SILVERMAN
North Point junior Michael Hill is the All-County golfer of the year.
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When you look back into the boxing era we remember the "Iron Mike" Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion of the world and the youngest boxer to ever to claim the title at just 20 years old.
Today, at just 16, North Point junior Mike Hill had the uncanny ability to use a specific iron off the tee to gradually get into the fairways en route to being voted this year's All-County player of the year.
"[Head coach] Tony Jones is a good coach and it helps having guys older than me that were my friends on the team," said Hill, a rising SMAC talent. "If I had any trouble, they would be there for me and let me know that I have a few more years. It definitely helps having older teammates to look up to. This season we always played and practiced as a team and that's what led to our success."
In his third campaign, Hill earned many honors, leading his North Point squad to its second consecutive SMAC team title, carding a 2-over-par 74, edging senior teammate Mitchell Buccelli through two playoff holes, in which he won with a 10-foot birdie on Hole No. 18.
Hill was also the individual county champion at the Superintendent's Cup with a 3-over 75 and led his team to bragging rights as the No. 1 team in the county.
Other honors that Hill garnered was tying for second place at districts with senior Mike Barnas posting a 74.
"Michael Hill is going to be one of the top golfers in the conference next year, there's no doubt about it," said Jones, who led his team to a third-place showing at the Class 3A/4A state tournament played at Potomac Ridge. "He's coming along and his physical game is really strong."
"The thing that is so hard to master is self-control and Mike has really made great strides in playing within himself and controlling his mental game," McDonough head coach Ned Spearbeck said. "I expect even better things from him next year."
At states, Hill carded a two-day total of 169, while junior teammate Mckenzie Cutter collected a 159.
Cutter fell to Churchill's Diana Brown by only five strokes, but finished as the second-best female in the state.
"She's very talented. I'm glad we don't have to play against her," said Hill on Cutter's presence on the greens. "She's probably one of the most consistent players on the team and always comes in with a pretty low score."
"We had a lot of depth," Cutter said. "We could take a lot of chances because we knew if we didn't execute well, then they would pick it up. We still have the potential to be a state team next year."
Jones added: "Mckenzie has moved up every year and knows next year that she will be in the hunt for one of the top females in the state. At the rate she's going she will have a really good chance."
Though Hill and Cutter will be rising seniors next fall, North Point will lose five key seniors, two of which were top golfers in Buccelli and Barnas –– both seniors made first-team and second-team All-County honors, respectively.
"I left my mark in a great spot, we didn't lose until we got to states," said Buccelli, who was the individual champion at districts with a 72. Buccelli also is a University of Maryland Eastern Shore commit. "Even though we would have liked to win, it still was a great year for us. I think the seniors are really proud of where we are leaving the team at. Next year the team will be just as strong and they will improve."
"I think we had a great year, regardless of not winning the state championship," Jones said. "You can't ask for much more of what the kids gave this year. They went through the entire regular season undefeated and even when a couple played badly, others would pick it up. Our seniors Mike Barnas and Mitchell Buccelli were key components and will be greatly missed."
