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08/17/2022 12:25 PMWhile growing up, Robert Cappella’s backyard was in the out-of-bounds section on the second hole at Sleeping Giant Golf Course in Hamden. Naturally, it made sense for Robert to try his hand at the sport. As a freshman at North Branford, Robert got an opportunity to show his skills on the links by becoming a major part of the lineup for the T-Birds’ boys’ golf team.
Robert didn’t start playing golf until three years ago, but he had grown up with plenty of golf balls in his backyard. In fact, there were so many that Robert’s family began selling them, along with cold drinks, to passing golfers from their yard. Although no one in his family played golf, Robert became enthralled with the sport and decided that he wanted to become a golfer.
“I just got a bunch of golf balls in my backyard. Nobody really played, so we opened up a golf stand and sold drinks,” says Robert. “I was always constantly watching people hit shots. I just fell in love with the game once I got out there and started playing a little bit.”
Robert enjoyed watching the swings of the various players and the way that they approached the game. When he started playing himself, Robert was greeted kindly by the same golfers that he had seen in his backyard. While he never took official lessons, Robert spent as much time as he could studying and playing the game in order to improve his swing.
“It wasn’t easy at first. I never got lessons. I just was playing enough to where I was teaching myself,” Robert says. “I’d be watching other people, and they were nice enough to give me some tips to fix my swing. I’d watch videos. Just by swinging enough, I came up with a swing, and I’ve been getting better.”
When he plays at Sleeping Giant, Robert often competes against many of the regulars that he saw during his years living on the course. He spends a lot of time playing with one of the course’s groundskeepers named Ray. As he entered high school, Robert felt that his experience of taking on older players had him well-prepared for the challenge of varsity golf.
“It was pretty similar. The guys at Sleeping Giant are a little older, but they love talking smack, and they hit it just as hard as these high school kids,” says Robert. “It helped me get ready for that high school competition.”
Prior to his freshman year, Robert was still undecided about where he would by playing his high school golf. He recently moved to North Branford, but still had ties to Hamden. Ultimately, Robert determined that he was going to compete for the T-Birds.
Robert found it difficult to make friends in his new town before the golf season started. However, once he stepped on the course for North Branford, Robert was welcomed with open arms and felt comfortable in his new surroundings.
“I was very excited to start playing on the team. It was something I was looking forward to,” Robert says. “It was hard making friends the first half of the year, but once the team started, I really got to meet these new kids and build relationships with them. They were very welcoming. I was glad to make an impact.”
As his freshman year progressed, Robert became more competitive on the golf course. Not only did he always want to lower his own scores, but Robert also wanted to see the teammates around him succeed. While it was only his first year on the squad, Robert quickly made strong connections with his teammates and did everything he could to support each one of them.
“I really developed a more competitive spirit towards the end. I was able to feel out my teammates and know what they’re capable of,” says Robert. “I was able to pump them up when they were down. I saw the teams we needed to beat and the players we needed to watch out for. I tried to support my teammates and have them play their best.”
On June 7, Robert and the Thunderbirds competed at the Division II State Championship, where North Branford finished in ninth place. Robert came in 29th place by carding an 18-hole score of 87 at the meet. Robert had been preparing for the day when he would play in states. After getting that experience, Robert is looking for both himself and his teammates to come back stronger in next year’s postseason.
“It was a little bit nerve-wracking, but I had been preparing for it. I knew the day would come. We didn’t do our best, but I was happy to get out there,” Robert says. “I’m certainly ready for next year. I’m hoping to win a championship, at least one or two by the time I leave the school.”
Head Coach Andrew DaCorte says that Andrew’s contributions as a freshman paid massive dividends for the T-Birds this year. DaCorte was happy that Robert always stayed late at practice to work on his chipping and putting. After seeing Robert play well and display a great work ethic, Coach DaCorte knows that the rising sophomore has excellent potential as a member of the North Branford golf program.
“Robby was a huge addition to our team this year. To come in as a freshman and consistently shoot under 45 was huge for us. He was a rock for us in the middle of the lineup,” says DaCorte. “He is a worker and a grinder and he loves golf. I expect big things out of him in the future.”
In his first year with the Thunderbirds, Robert demonstrated that he has the ability to be a difference maker over the next couple of seasons. He established a solid foundation while playing for a new team in a new town this spring. Robert is excited to return to the links as a sophomore and help North Branford succeed, while continuing to build strong bonds with his teammates.
“It was a fresh start with a new team. I was glad I was able to go to North Branford,” Robert says. “The coach is great, and the kids are great. It was a great experience. I had a great time, and I’m looking forward to next year.”