The NJSIAA Central and South Jersey boys’ golf sections played out at five locations Monday, and the takeaway was how strong the Shore Conference is this season.
When the scores were tallied, the Shore area had come away with three team sectional titles, with four teams in all qualifying for next Monday’s Tournament of Champions. In addition to those four-man teams, four individuals qualified for next week’s festivities at Hopewell Valley.
Leading the way was Christian Brothers Academy, who will look for their third overall state championship in four years at the Tournament of Champions after winning the Central and South Non-Public A title at Mountain View in Ewing.
For the Colts, senior Jerry Wall and freshman Chris Gotterup shot 75 before losing a playoff to Notre Dame’s Michael Winter for the individual title.
“It would be great to win a third Tournament of Champions,” Wall said. “And while I would love to win the individual title, if you gave me a choice I would definitely take a team title. And really, that’s more impressive. It’s not that hard for one player to have a great day, but for an entire team, that’s an accomplishment.”
In addition to the top two teams, the top five individuals (plus ties) advance to the Tournament of Champions.
Also at Mountain View, St. Rose won its fifth straight Central and South Non-Public B title, with Kellen Jordan shooting 79 to lead the way. The Purple Roses are the defending state Non-Public B champions.
At the Group IV event at Linwood, reigning Shore Conference champion Dawson Jones of Howell shot 76 but lost a four-way playoff for the individual title to Washington Township’s Joe Russo.
Also qualifying as an individual was Ocean County champion Jackson Fiel, who tied for fifth at 79.
Rumson-Fair Haven and Wall finished tied for the top spot in team standings at 314 at the Group II event at Wildwood. On the first playoff hole it was Wall’s Austin Binder rolling in a birdie putt that ultimately extended the playoff. Finally, it was Rumson emerging with the title by a single shot on the second hole.
Individually, Ocean’s John Lee finished third overall with a 76, while Monmouth’s Brendan Gutzler advanced with a 78.
South Jersey Girls Team
Red Bank Catholic, runners-up at last year’s girls golf Tournament of Champions, advanced to this year’s event by finishing second at the NJSIAA South Jersey team sectional at Bey Lea in Toms River.
Leading the way for the Caseys was sophomore Nicole Totland, who finished with a 77. The Caseys’ team total of 326 was six shots behind first place Montgomery.
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