Bergen Record Male Athlete of the Week: Michael Asselta, St. Joseph

Michael Asselta estimates he started playing golf around the age of four or five. But let’s hold off on the Tiger Woods comparisons for a moment.

If anything, the St. Joseph sophomore’s career mirrors that of Scottie Scheffler. The recent Masters champion was born in Ridgewood and lived in North Jersey until he was 6, before his family moved.

Asselta was born near Boston, after which his family moved to Ramsey when he was six.

“I think my first competitive tournament was when I was six,” he said. “My father took me to the driving range. I had plastic bats and all I did was hit 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).

However, Michael is the first Asselta to earn The record Athlete of the Week honors. He has finished first in three tournaments this year, most recently at the Blue Devil Invitational on April 15 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 think the tournament was moved and we couldn’t play in it as a team,” Asselta recalled. “So it was a tournament that I was really looking forward to because I had played the course before, and I really enjoy it.”

He started strong, sinking a 35-foot birdie putt on his second hole. Although he was two shots behind with two holes to go, he finished with an even-par 71 to immediately take the title.

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

The week also included three dual matches, highlighted by a win over St. Peter’s Prep, the Green Knights’ ninth in 10 games. That 9-hole round happened to take place at 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 takes into account players’ top six rounds,” St. Joseph coach Kevin Rooney said. “Our team is ranked No. 6 in the state and uses the same system.”

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

“I 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 played in the Future Masters event held annually in Alabama. His goal is to play golf in college and beyond, and he has extensive experience traveling to AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) competitions.

“I definitely want to stick with golf after college,” he says. “Whether that’s becoming a touring professional or being an instructor and teaching people.”

Michael Asselta

Sport: golf

School: St. Joseph

Class: Sophomore. Age: 16

Performance: Asselta scored his third tournament win of the spring with a par-71 at the Westfield Blue Devil Invitational, and he averaged 37 in three nine-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.

Michael Asselta

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