Completing its spring-to-fall transition, the Skaneateles boys golf team took part in the Onondaga High School League fall tournament last Tuesday at Timber Banks in Baldwinsville.
Two things were at stake for the Lakers. One was a Small School team title, and the other, on an individual basis, was berths in next May’s Section III state qualifying tournament at Seven Oaks in Hamilton. Since 80 players were in the field, 20, plus ties, would advance.
In the end, none of the Skaneateles individuals would quite get into that top 20. It took an 89 to make it, and Michael Murphy got close, shooting 44 on the front nine, but getting 47 on the back nine to finish at 91, two shots too many.
Further back, Ty Jones and Carter Striegel both finished with 98, Jones going 48-50 on his nines and Striegel reversing that order with 50-48 on his nines. Kenny Peterson shot a 102, just ahead of Jack Canty, who had a 103, and Jake Reed, who had a 106.
The Small School team title went to Westhill, another side that made a transition from the spring to the fall, who posted 441 and finished third overall behind Large School pace-setters Auburn (423) and Oswego (434). East Syracuse Minoa’s Ian Rivers and Oswego’s Joe Kelly both shot 77 to share individual honors, two shots head of Auburn’s Ross Burgmaster.
Before all that, there was a regular-season match remaining for Skaneateles, and it took care of that task in a decisive manner, rolling past East Syracuse Minoa’s Orange team by a score of 217-287 at Skaneateles Country Club.
Each of the day’s five lowest rounds went to Lakers golfers, starting with Carter Stiegel, who won the individual race with a 39, three strokes better than Ty Jones’ 42. Michael Murphy finished with a 43 and Kenny Peterson added a 44 in front of Jack Canty, whose 51 was three shots ahead of any ESM Orange golfer.
