Toms River, NJ - Success in golf is mostly, and sometimes way too often, measured in eagles, birdies and pars. But golf is more than that kind of success. Golf is about honesty, honor, and playing with respect and a joyful spirit. Based on those criteria, Ocean County College’s “Big 3”: two-year starters Tommy Donachy, Logan Burnett and Jeremy Schiel, stand heads and shoulders above most golfers to wear the Viking’s colors in team history.
Donachy and Burnett, who both starred as OCC’s first club in all of their matches and tournaments over the past two years, and Schiel, who played all of 2023 at #4, and improved some 20 strokes per round to play as high as #3 this past campaign, formed a powerful nucleus for Head Coach Sean Fawcett’s Ocean County College golf team, which placed in the top 5 in all of their tournaments during the 2024 Campaign.
“I’m so very proud, and feel blessed to have coached those three fine young men these past couple of seasons,” said Fawcett. “All three were captains of our squad this year. They’re all just terrific leaders. They play the game right, with honesty and humility and positively, and with a sensational sense of humor. I couldn’t ask for three better players to represent OCC, our golf team, and myself. I will miss them a lot. I am so grateful for their friendship and all the happy memories of having them around and playing golf with them.”
Good, and improving golfers, Burnett and Schiel, long time best friends and soccer teammates from Toms River South High School, with 2023 MVP Donachy, established OCC as a team other teams enjoyed playing with, and competing against.
Burnett scored two near-personal best scores of 92-92 over 36 holes at May 13th and 14th’s Region 19 Championship at Union County’s Ash Brook Golf Course in Scotch Plains to come within just 7 strokes of advancing to the NJCAA D-III National Championship, held from June 4-7 at Lake Chautauqua, New York.
“Growing up, my main sport was always soccer,” said Jeremy Schiel. “I played it from when I was really young until the end of high school. Thankfully, my friend Logan (Burnett), who has golfed with me since I started, convinced me to join the high school golf team, which opened up a new sport to play after soccer finished. I wasn’t the best at golf when I started, but I knew there was potential. Fast forward to today, I’ve improved a lot and want to continue working on my golf game as my last OCC Golf season is coming to an end. I thank everyone who has supported me, including my teammates, parents and coaches. I look forward to playing more golf in the future.”
“Throughout my time playing golf at OCC, I honestly really enjoyed it,” said 2024 Team MVP Logan Burnett. “I had a lot of fun playing with my teammates that became my friends. We got to play some really nice courses and compete with and against like-minded people. It was nice to get out and play courses I’ve never played before, and made some great memories of playing, like making my first and only eagle. I’ve been on the team for two years and it’s weird to think that it’s already over. The time I spent on the team will certainly be cherished and looked back upon fondly.”
“You’re very fortunate, as a coach, to get a great group of guys like Logan and Jeremy and Tommy to teach and compete with,” said Coach Fawcett. “The guys who are coming back, I think, and hope, learned a lot about playing our game the right way and keeping things light and fun for all. The thing that always means the most to me is when other coaches compliment our team on how they play with respect and how much fun they are to golf with. Tommy, Logan and Jeremy do that all the time.”