With a regular-season OHSL Liberty division title already in the books, the Skaneateles boys golf team wanted more honors when it ventured to Marcellus Golf Club for Monday’s Section III West Division Qualifier.
The Lakers found itself in a duel with Westhill for team honors. When all the scores were added up on a hot, humid afternoon, Skaneateles had 425 – and the Warriors had 424, earning the tournament title for the fourth time in five years.
It was just as close in the race for individual honors. While most golfers struggled with the heat and humidity, the Lakers’ Jake Fontana kept cool and posted a 75, which beat everyone except Westhill’s Andy Vadnais. The pair tied for individual medalist honors.
Then the team battle commenced, with Jarrett McDonald grabbing third place for Skaneateles with a 76, one shot ahead of the Warriors’ Nate Miesner (77). Jacob Patalino had an 88, but Westhill got an 87 from Carter McMahon and an 88 from Sean Dadey to move out in front.
Raymond Falso and Briggs Carter both shot 93 to give Skaneateles that 425 total. Westhill needed a 97 from someone to prevail – and Jacob Van Buren achieved that exact total, two shots better than the Lakers’ Sean Dadey, to decide matters.
Meanwhile, two others Skaneateles golfers not in the team competition, Bennett Morse and Carter Striegel, both shot 87, which tied for 12th place.
With their rounds, Fontana, McDonald, Patalino, Morse and Striegel each advanced to the Section III State Qualifier, held again at Colgate University’s Seven Oaks course in Hamilton.
When the Section III girls golf championships took place Tuesday at Oneida’s Kanon Valley Country Club, Skaneateles shot a 433 to finish fourth in Division II as Westhill, with a 381, won a sectional title for the first time in program history.
Grace Magee led the effort for the Lakers, shooting a 99 on a course soaked by overnight rains. Magee finished seven shots out of a state qualifying spot. Jill Barker shot a 101, two shots behind Magee, while Addison Gremli posted a 116.
