It could not have ended better for the Cicero-North Syracuse Blue boys golf team in 2019, with the Northstars working its way to the Section III Class AA tournament title at Radisson Greens.
Though that accomplishment was somewhat tempered by the cancellation of the spring state qualifier and state tournament due to COVID-19, C-NS Blue remained in top form when a new season got underway.
To start with, C-NS Blue and its younger offshoot, C-NS Green, went head-to-head on Sept. 25 at Northern Pines, which Green uses as a home venue.
Prevailing 186-214, C-NS Blue had all five of its top golfers break 40 for nine holes, led by Jake Nardozza, whose 36 beat out Sean Lawler, Austin Alberici and Darin Townsend by a single shot.
Brody Kennedy added a 39, three better than the 42 from C-NS Green’s low individuals, Carter Costello and Drew Kippen. Jack Wolanski had a 43, with Riley Rumble and Cullen Scott each finishing at 44.
Then it was C-NS Blue against Liverpool, the first renewal of the “Star Wars” rivalry between the two neighbors at Lakeshore Country Club.
And the Northstars won 197-229 over the Warriors, pulling off a top-five individual sweep amid summer-like heat as Mason Ellis led the way, nearly matching par with his 37.
Nardozza was second with a 39, just ahead of 40s from Kennedy and Alberici as Sam Thompson got a 41.
Liverpool featured a 42 from Brandon Davis, with Joe Sacco contributing a 45. Kaeden Hacker and Brad Cole had matching rounds of 47 and Kyle Kirkby got a 48.
Completing an undefeated opening week, C-NS Blue handled West Genesee’s Blue squad 193-237 on Friday, at Lakeshore Nardozza earning a 36 ahead of Lawler’s 38. Townsend, with a 39, beat out Thompson and Villanve, who each posted 40.
It’s a season of transition for Liverpool, now playing home matches at Foxfire Golf Club after having to abandon its long-time residence at Liverpool Country Club when Amazon started to build its large warehouse facility on that land.
At Timber Banks last Wednesday, Liverpool fell to Baldwinsville 188-217 as Sacco and Dante Cassella both shot 41, behind the Bees’ Billy Guild (34) and Aidan Farmer (36). Hacker had a 43, just ahead of Kirkby’s 44 and Cole’s 48.
That same day, C-NS Blue beat the Fayetteville-Manlius White squad 202-226 at Lakeshore Country Club, with Alberici’s 38 the only score under 40 for either side.
In a four-way tie for second, Kennedy, Lawler, Sam Thompson and D.J. Villnave each finished at 41, with three F-M White players – Jason Carter, August Larson and Sam Elbadawi – all finishing at 44.
When C-NS Green had its match against Baldwinsville on Thursday at Timber Banks, the Bees prevailed 202-223.
Rumble shot a 42, while Kippen had a 43 and Costello managed a 45. On top, B’ville had a 37 from Alex Pompo and a 39 from Victor Ianno Jr, plus 42s from Aidan Farmer and Christian Petragnani.
Then, challenging F-M’s top varsity side on Friday at Northern Pines, C-NS Green fell to F-M Green 190-201, amid a close race for the top individual score.
Costello and Kippen both shot season-best totals of 39, just behind F-M’s Velton Perry, Luke Weisiger (37 each) and Matt LaCombe (38), with Scott shooting 40, Alex Culver earning 41 and Joe DeGroat adding a 42.
