Old Tappan’s Ryan Lee wins FDU Invitational by Greg Mattura of The Record
RIVER VALE – Ryan Lee of Northern Valley at Old Tappan has officially added his name to the list of candidates for The Record Boys Golfer of the Year.
As the lone player to break par, the junior won the individual title at the 7th annual Fairleigh Dickinson Invitational on Wednesday at sunny River Vale Country Club.
Lee, who last season led the Golden Knights to the state Group 3 title, shot 1-under-par 71 to finish two strokes ahead of four players, including junior teammate Sam Yom.
“My iron shots helped me get onto the green,” said Lee, “and so I had a pretty good amount of opportunities.”
The runner-up via match of cards was Brian Li of Blair Academy, who led his prep school to the team title with a shoot-five, count-four score of 298 that was seven shots better than defending champion Bergen Catholic.
Interestingly, Blair is not a member of the NJSIAA, because it allows fifth-year students, and so it is not a threat to Bergen Catholic’s bid for a fourth consecutive Tournament of Champions title.
Bergen County schools made a good showing. NV/Old Tappan was third with 311, followed by Paramus (318), St. Joseph (319) and Northern Highlands (320). Westwood and Pascack Hills tied for seventh with 323. Reigning Passaic County champion Wayne Hills was ninth among 16 teams with 332.
Senior Jimmy Criscione led Bergen Catholic with a 73 that placed him in a three-way tie for third. Sophomore Alex Lamarca, who last week led the Crusaders to the title at the Garden State Cup, tied for 10th with 76.
“I think we all could have played a little bit better,” said Criscione, whose team is ranked No. 1 in The Record Boys Top 18. “We all had some shots that could have been better.”
“I’m happy with the way our kids played,” said Bergen Catholic coach Jim Jacobsen, who was without junior Chris Lee, reigning Record Golfer of the Year, who was competing at an AJGA event. “Each and every one of them put forth a great effort, and you don’t always win.”
Westwood senior Christopher Lee and Wayne Hills junior Robert McHugh each shot 75 to finish in a four-way tie for sixth. Seniors Spencer Shih of Northern Highlands and Joseph Rendine of Paramus shot 76 to join Lamarca in the tie for 10th.
Ryan Lee had four birdies and three bogeys en route to the title. He birdied the par-4 ninth hole with a downhill, right-to-left 12-footer that he said would have gone off the green if it hadn’t gone in.
“I’m happy for Ryan for winning,” said NV/Old Tappan coach Tom Quinn, whose team is No. 2 in The Record Top 18. “He’s a great kid, so that’s important, that’s great. And Sam shot the 73, which is top-five.
“But I thought it was a chance for us, and I don’t know if we shot our best round. I’m still looking for our best round. Last year it came at the Tournament of Champions, which is great, and maybe it will happen this year, but I felt we left a few strokes out there.”