A new conference brings a new challenge for the South Boys Golf team, but the Rebels will enter their inaugural season in the Chagrin Valley Conference with a veteran lineup led by one of Northeast Ohio’s top golfers.
Head coach Matt Fundak, now in his fifth season leading the Rebels and his 22nd year coaching high school golf, returns three starters and three additional letterwinners from a team that finished 7-7 overall and 5-5 in the Western Reserve Conference a year ago. With an experienced senior class and proven leadership, South hopes to make an immediate impact in its new league.
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Leading the charge is senior Ralph Zappola, who enjoyed a spectacular 2025 campaign. Zappola claimed the Western Reserve Conference individual championship with a 74, earned All-WRC honors, and qualified for the district tournament after shooting a 73 at the Quail Hollow Sectional as the event’s top individual qualifier. He finished the season with a 39.9 nine-hole average and a 76.5 18-hole average, establishing himself as one of the area’s premier players.
“Ralph is the most talented player I have ever coached in 22 years of coaching golf,” Fundak said.
Senior Sam Leskiewicz gives the Rebels another experienced scorer after earning All-WRC honors and placing 10th at the conference tournament with an 86. His continued development could be one of the biggest factors in South’s success this season.
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“Sam is much improved and will be a key to how our season goes,” Fundak said.
Another senior, Jack Kubish, provides consistency throughout the lineup after averaging 45.0 per nine holes last season.
“Jack is very consistent with his scores,” Fundak said. “Jack’s performance will also be very important for our team’s success.”
The move to the Chagrin Valley Conference presents a fresh opportunity for the Rebels to establish themselves against a new group of opponents. With a proven No. 1 golfer in Zappola and an experienced supporting cast, Willoughby South has the leadership and talent to compete throughout the conference schedule while making another postseason push.
