Bergen Catholic top team, Ryan Lee top player, at Arcola by Greg Mattura of The Record
PARAMUS – Bergen Catholic began the critical month of May with a performance that could set the stage for a record fourth consecutive Tournament of Champions golf title.
And Ryan Lee, the junior from Northern Valley at Old Tappan, continues to build his case for Record Boys Golfer of the Year.
Bergen Catholic rolled to the team title at Monday’s Arcola Boys Invitational, while Lee shot 1-under-par 71 to edge three Crusaders and win medalist at Arcola Country Club.
Bergen Catholic carded a shoot-five, count-four score of 292 to finish 13 strokes ahead of NV/Old Tappan, whose 305 indicates it’s capable of repeating later this month as state Group 3 champion.
“A team with a 292 – I’d take that right now in every tournament we play,” Bergen Catholic coach Jim Jacobsen said. “That’s about as good as it gets in this weather, and this course – and the competition was very good.”
The tournament featured 13 teams, with 12 ranked in The Record Boys’ Top 18. Pascack Hills continues to build toward challenging for a state Group 2 title and was third with 327. Don Bosco was fourth with 336, Ridgewood fifth with 338 and Paramus sixth with 340.
Bergen Catholic had a quartet finish among the top six: Chris Lee, reigning Record Golfer of the Year, and fellow junior Dan Yam tied for second with 72. Alex Lamarca was fourth with 73 and fellow sophomore Will Celiberti sixth with 75.
The Crusaders were grateful that Arcola expanded the event from nine to 18 holes and added several more teams. Every team seeking a league, sectional and/or state title this month benefitted from it.
“This is getting better and better,” Yam said. “This is a good opportunity for all the younger players to play golf.”
“I think it means a lot to all the high school players here, especially being able to play such a high-quality course and playing a full round instead of just nine holes,” Chris Lee said.
Ryan Lee of NV/Old Tappan was absolutely fantastic in his first time playing 18 holes at Arcola. He had two birdies and only one bogey on a course that played 6,650 yards and is among the best that North Jersey high schoolers will see this season over 18 holes. He was strong in all facets. He made a 20-footer for birdie on the par-5 15th hole.
“I think I played almost the best I could play here,” said Lee, who last month won the Fairleigh Dickinson Invitational at River Vale CC. “It’s a really tough course, but I somehow managed a good round.”
Lee led the way for NV/Old Tappan to shoot the 305. Junior Sam Yom shot 74 to place fifth, while junior Chan Park shot 81 to tie for 13th.
“I’m happy for Ryan, he went under par again, just like the FDU [Invitational], and I’m really happy with a 305,” said NV/Old Tappan coach Tom Quinn. “We’re going to keep trying, keep trying to win one of these things. That’s what we’re coming for.”
Pascack Hills has made strides since a disappointing effort at the season-opening Garden State Cup. Seniors Garrett Koroghlian and Scott Rabinowitz each shot 80 to tie for 10th with Paramus senior James Rendine.
“We were the top small school, so that’s definitely a good thing,” Pascack Hills coach Ed Sandt said. “We think we’re better than a 327, even on a course like this, and we know we need to be at the end of the season. But it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”