North Jersey Male Athlete of the Week dominating on the course and making family history

Michael Asselta estimates that he began playing golf around age 4 or 5. But let’s hold off on the Tiger Woods comparisons for a bit.

If anything, the career of the St. Joseph sophomore so far has mirrored that of Scottie Scheffler. The recent Masters champion was born in Ridgewood and lived in North Jersey until age 6, before his family moved away.

Asselta was born near Boston, then his family moved into Ramsey when he was 6.

“I think my first competitive tournament was when I was 6,” he said. “My dad took me to the driving range. I had plastic clubs, and I was just hitting foam balls at the range.”

The Asseltas are an athletic family. Michael’s father, Ryan, played basketball and baseball at St. Joseph before graduating in 1994. Aunt Meaghan was a North Jersey All-Decade softball player at Immaculate Heart (Class of 1999).

Michael, however, is the first Asselta to earn The Record Athlete of the Week honor. He has finished first in three tournaments this year, most recently at the April 15 Blue Devil Invitational at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield.

The Green Knights also took home the team title against a field that included state powers Delbarton, Newark Academy, Bergen Catholic, Hunterdon Central and more.

“Last year, I believe the tournament got moved, and we weren’t able to play in it as a team,” Asselta recalled. “So, it was a tournament that I was really looking forward to, as I’d played the course before, and I really like it.”

He started strong, sinking a 35-foot birdie putt on his second hole. Though he trailed by two shots with two holes remaining, he finished with an even-par 71 to take the title outright.

“On my 17th hole [Echo Lake No. 4], I had like 20 feet for birdie, and I made it,” Asselta said. “Then I hit a really good shot on the next hole to like 12 feet to kind seal it.”

The week also included three dual matches, culminating with a win over St. Peter’s Prep, which was the Green Knights’ ninth in 10 outings. That 9-hole round happened to be on his home course, Ramsey Country Club, and he carded a 1-under 33.

“Michael is ranked second in the state based on the scoring system, which accounts for players’ top six rounds,” St. Joseph coach Kevin Rooney said. “Our team is ranked No. 6 in the state using the same system.”

Asselta pointed out that he has “always been around” golf, since dad Ryan is a commentator for PGA Tour Live who has previously written for Sports Illustrated and golf.com.

“I do watch a lot of competitive golf,” Michael said. “Obviously, Scottie Scheffler, it’s pretty cool to see what he’s doing right now. I like Jordan [Spieth], Justin Thomas… and the young guy, Ludvig Åberg.”

Asselta not only followed the Masters Tournament intently, he also has played in the Future Masters event held annually in Alabama. His goal is to play golf in college and beyond, and he already has plenty of experience traveling to AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) competitions.

“After college, I definitely want to stay with golf,” he said. “Whether that’s becoming a tour pro or being an instructor and teaching people.”

Michael Asselta

Sport: Golf

School: St. Joseph

Class: Sophomore. Age: 16

Accomplishment: Asselta scored his third tournament victory of the spring with a par-71 at the Westfield Blue Devil Invitational, and he averaged 37 in three 9-hole rounds to help the Green Knights improve to 9-1.

Also nominated: Trevor Rashcher of Clifton, Dean Qira of Wayne Hills, Cole Mouser of Saddle Brook, Brady Shust of St. Joseph, and Jason Alvarado of Ridgefield Park for baseball; Corey Sanders of Paramus Catholic for track and field; Ben Braudo of Fair Lawn for volleyball; and Jimmy Veale of Wayne Hills for golf.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen Record Male Athlete of the Week: Michael Asselta, St. Joseph