From just four victories in 2018 to a Section III championship just 12 months later, the Cazenovia boys golf team has made a climb no one could have foreseen.
Or as Lakers head coach Tom Murlin put, “we went from the outhouse to the penthouse.”
Capping off this improbable turnaround, Cazenovia found its way to the top in a tense four-team battle with Skaneateles, Westhill and Christian Brothers Academy Tuesday in the fall sectional tournament at Rogues Roost Golf Club’s West Course.
Cazenovia had gone 10-4 in the regular season, with mixed results against the other main sectional contenders. Still, it was a complete turnaround from going 4-10 in 2018.
A mere two strokes separated the those top four sides meaning that every single tee shot, approach, chip and putt would prove crucial to the final outcome.
Freshman Alex Moesch, who had the lowest score for Cazenovia in most matches this fall, did so again here, his four-over-par 75 putting him in third place behind Westhill’s Anthony Magslico (73) and Skaneateles’ Tynan Jones, whose blistering 67 earned him the individual medal.
Cody Dickinson stepped up, the junior posting an 80 that would allow him to join Moesch in advancing to the sectional state qualifying tournament, held late in May at Seven Oaks.
Senior WIll Fitzgerald and another ninth-grader, Jack Byrnes, both shot 89, and their scores, along with the 91 from senior Max Beam, would count toward the team total as junior Chris Kelly finished with a 97.
Posting 424, Cazenovia had to wait to see if it held up, and it did so – barely.
Behind Jones, Skaneteles had no one close to his total, Shawn Luce getting an 86 and Drew Henderson adding an 88. Tyson DiRubbo shot 90 and Will Cowden had a 94, leaving these other Lakers at 425, one shot behind.
Maglisco led Westhill’s push as Aidan Ryan and Mike Britt both shot 84. James Hunt had an 89, but Devin Young could only manage a 95 and that left the Warriors equaling Skaneateles at 425.
CBA was the other main contender. Joe Nicholson led the Brothers by posting 78, with Jack MacLachlan getting an 84 and Mike Santaro shooting 85. The 88 from Dan Angelo and 91 from Pete Scuderi, one of the last golfers to finish, meant the Brothers would settle for 426.
Far back of this battle, Chittenango finished with a team total of 467 on the Rogues Roost West course it uses as a home venue, but still had some fine individual performances.
In fact, Tyrus Kelly shot a 78, which tied him with Nicholson for fifth place in the individual standings and earning a trip to May’s state qualifier. Tanner Smith had a 90, with Seth Boulter shooting 98. Evan Smith, with a 100, edged out Brendan Fraser (101) as Maddox Garvey finished with 112.
