Bergen Catholic peaking heading into state golf tournament by Greg Mattura of The Record
ROCKLEIGH – It’s full speed ahead for Chris Lee and Bergen Catholic as the program heads into next week’s State Boys Golf Tournament in search of a record-setting fourth consecutive Tournament of Champions title.
In the final tuneup, Lee cruised to the individual crown and led Bergen Catholic to the team title at Friday’s Bergen County bracket of the Big North Championship at Rockleigh Golf Course.
Lee, The Record’s reigning Boys Golfer of the Year, repeated as individual champ with a tournament-record, 7-under-par 65 that featured not one, not two, but three, eagles.
Bergen Catholic, No. 1 in The Record Boys Top 18, won the United Division and Overall titles with a shoot-five, count-four score of 3-under 285 from the white tees.
“I think the kids right now are peaking – that’s my hope,” said Bergen Catholic coach Jim Jacobsen.
Northern Valley at Old Tappan, reigning state Group 3 champ, appears poised to again join Bergen Catholic as a state titlist. The Golden Knights shot 300 to finish second overall and win the National Division.
Northern Highlands, also a Group 3 contender, was impressive, carding 309 to place third overall and win the Freedom. Pascack Hills, a Group 2 contender, won the Patriot with 318, while Fort Lee claimed the American with 343.
Three eagles in one round is remarkable, and Chris Lee eagled a trio of par-5s. On the 15th hole, he hit a 6-iron from 170 yards to 15 feet and sank the putt. On the 17th, he chipped in from 15 yards. On the fifth, he hit a hybrid from 230 yards and sank a 20-foot putt.
“It’s got to be some luck,” Lee said. “But I went aggressively for the eagle putts.”
A quartet from Bergen Catholic finished among the top eight. Jimmy Criscione was runner-up with 72, Alex Lamarca fourth with 73 and Dan Yam eighth with 75.
NV/Old Tappan’s junior quartet was stellar with its 300. Ryan Lee shot 73 and was third via match of cards. Sam Yom shot 74 and was fifth. Chan Park and Ryan Travers each shot 77.
“We’ve got four juniors who are playing really well,” said NV/Old Tappan coach Tom Quinn, “and we’re going to be ready to go on Monday in the state sectionals.”
Northern Highlands had a foursome break 80. Ken Battaglia shot 75 and was seventh. Spencer Shih shot 76, and Tyler Senior and Thomas Fritz each carded 79.
“These kids just keep plugging away,” Northern Highlands coach Steve Jochum said. “They don’t give up. They’re tenacious in the way they play.”
Pascack Hills’ 318 featured a duo shooting 77: Scott Rabinowitz and Kyle Spielman. The Cowboys also had a duo card 82: Garrett Koroghlian and Kevin Michael.
“You heard me say all season long that we’re headed in the right direction to the important events,” Pascack Hills coach Ed Sandt, “and now we’re there.”
Fort Lee won the American title, with sophomore Sun Hwang shooting 77, two days after she won the Bergen Girls’ Championship.
At the Big North Passaic bracket on Thursday, Wayne Hills and Bergen Tech won division titles at Preakness Valley in Wayne. Wayne Hills won the Independence with 325, featuring a 70 by Robert McHugh. Bergen Tech won the Liberty with 339.