What had already been a terrific season for the West Genesee boys golf team culminated in a greater honor – that of Section III Class AA champions.
This was achieved in last Thursday’s sectional tournament, played at Green Lakes State Park, which evolved into a two-way battle between the Wildcats and Fayetteville-Manlius.
Remarkably, WG and F-M both finished with the same total of 393 between its top five players. But because the Wildcats had a lower score with its sixth player, it claimed the tie-breaker and brought home the sectional banner.
Among individuals, Nick Holzhauer led WG’s effort, tying for second place with an 18-hole total of 75, just one shot behind Oswego’s Luke Boshart.
Connor Salanger joined a four-way tie for sixth place with a 78, while Luke Smith and John Clare shared 10th place with a 79. Luis Ciarla posted an 80. Holzhauer, Salanger, Smith, Clare and Ciarla all qualified for the overall sectional championships, which are held in late May at Colgate University’s Seven Oaks course.
Twice, the Wildcats won in the lead-up to the sectional tournament, starting with last Monday’s 192-212 win over Oswego. Smith shot a 35 at Westvale, two shots better than teammate Brian Sierotnik. Salanger was next in line with a 39, while Andrew Albert posted a 40 and Clare contributed a 41.
Then, in last Tuesday’s match against Corcoran at the Links at Sunset Ridge, the Wildcats endured brutal conditions, but still scored well in a 192-239 victory over the Cougars.
James St. Croix offered his best round of the season, a 37 for nine holes, while Connor Khammar also posted a 37. Smith and Holzhauer both excelled, too, in the wet and cold weather, shooting equal totals of 39. A.J. Lloyd led Corcoran with a 43.
